flag
back Back
Mauricio Pochettino is accused of 's*** management' and ushered away from a press conference row with Chelsea's former stadium announcer after moaning about journalists' penalty spat questions
  • Chelsea's big win was overshadowed by yet another row over a penalty 
  • Cole Palmer had to pull rank after squabble between his two team-mates  
  • Arsenal must recover in Munich - they can't carry the fear from Villa loss into Champions League showdown - Listen to the It's All Kicking Off podcast 

Mauricio Pochettino was embroiled in a spat with Chelsea's former stadium announcer who accused him of 's*** management of his press conference' after the Blues thrashed Everton 6-0 on Monday night.

The emphatic win was marred by a squabble involving three Chelsea players over penalty-taking duties.

Nicolas Jackson and Noni Madueke forcefully took the ball off Malo Gusto's hands after the Blues were awarded a penalty in the second half.

The pair repeatedly shoved each other before Cole Palmer, who had won the spot kick and is the Blues regular penalty taker intervened alongside Conor Gallagher.

Palmer eventually managed to grab the ball and converted the penalty to score his fourth of the night and put Chelsea 5-0. 

Mauricio Pochettino was unimpressed with reporters who repeatedly questioned him over a bizarre penalty squabble involving three Chelsea players in the win over Everton on Monday
Mauricio Pochettino was unimpressed with reporters who repeatedly questioned him over a bizarre penalty squabble involving three Chelsea players in the win over Everton on Monday
The Argentine blamed reporters for asking him the same question throughout the press conference after the Blues' 6-0 win
The Argentine blamed reporters for asking him the same question throughout the press conference after the Blues' 6-0 win
Noni Madueke (right) and Nicolas Jackson (left) argued over who should take the spot kick over Cole Palmer (middle)
Noni Madueke (right) and Nicolas Jackson (left) argued over who should take the spot kick over Cole Palmer (middle)

Pochettino was visibly incensed at the bizarre confrontation and took exception at being questioned about it during his post-match press conference.

A video shared by One Football, shows the Chelsea manager complain about the line of questioning as he left the media room at Stamford Bridge.

'All day we talk about one thing,' the Argentine told reporters referring to the penalty incident.

As he was about to leave the room, Pochettino turned back towards the press pack to reiterate the point.  

'You all [asked] one [question] all press conference.'

At that point Neil Barnett, Chelsea's former pitchside announcer, suggested different questions may have been forthcoming had the press conference gone on for longer. 

'You stopped the press conference,' he replied.

Undeterred, Pochettino went on: 'Every question was in this way [about the penalty incident].'

As the Chelsea manager eventually left the room, Barnett, who has been the host of The Football Show on US radio SiriusXM for 14 years, retorted: 'S*** management of a press conference'.

Pochettino's mood did not match that of a manager whose side had won 6-0 after calling Chelsea's penalty sideshow against Everton 'unacceptable'
Madueke (left) took the ball off Malo Gusto (middle), before Jackson (right) got involved
Madueke (left) took the ball off Malo Gusto (middle), before Jackson (right) got involved
Conor Gallagher (left) pleaded with his teammates to leave the ball to Palmer, the designated penalty-taker who eventually took and converted the spot kick
Conor Gallagher (left) pleaded with his teammates to leave the ball to Palmer, the designated penalty-taker who eventually took and converted the spot kick

Speaking in his press conference about the penalty fiasco, Pochettino said:  'First of all, I want to tell you to make clear that they know, the players know, the staff know, the club know, that the taker on penalties is Cole Palmer.

'It is a shame. I am so, so upset about this situation. We are talking in the dressing room about the image that we send because this is Monday night football and in every single country they were watching the game.

'We cannot send this type of image. It is a shame and I want to apologise to football people and our fans because that is unacceptable.'

Pochettino went on to say Madueke and Jackson would be 'out' if they acted in that way again.

'I told them this is the last time I can't accept this type of behaviour. They're all, involved in this situation, all out next time,' he told Sky Sports.

Meanwhile, Palmer confirmed his status as Chelsea's designed penalty-taker in a post-match interview on NBC Sports. 

'Everyone wants to score, especially the attackers. It's nothing, we have spoken about it, we have brushed it under the carpet,' he said. 

'I think it just shows the mentality of the players, they want to take it, but the gaffer has told us, it's been brushed aside and I'm sure it won't happen again.'

Pressed on whether he was Chelsea's first-choice to take penalties, Palmer then replied: 'Well, I am now, yes.'

You may like

Raheem Sterling had his ‘payslip’ leaked after ‘leaving in his car at a garage

sportbible.com 2 days ago

Thiago Silva's wife posted restaurant bill to show how much footballers spend after a match

sportbible.com 7 hours ago

Chelsea star Cole Palmer warned over Arsenal transfer and sent clear instruction

football.london a day ago

‘Very sad…’ Ian Wright reacts to news coming out of Chelsea

tbrfootball.com 2 hours ago

Man Utd 'willing to sell' every member of their first-team squad except three players

sportbible.com 7 hours ago

Report: Chelsea owner Todd Boehly plots four signings in same position

footballfancast.com 2 days ago

Man City: Guardiola waves ‘painful goodbye’ to key star with Citizens ‘shook’ as Euro giants ‘con

football365.com 6 hours ago

Former Chelsea manager celebrates wildly on stage after landing dream job

football.london a day ago

Mykhaylo Mudryk given cause for concern as Chelsea star makes emphatic statement

express.co.uk 16 hours ago