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Soccer

Mauricio Pochettino sends message to Chelsea fans who booed during FA Cup win

Mauricio Pochettino sends message to Chelsea fans who booed during FA Cup win(C)Getty Images

Chelsea were 4-2 winners against visiting Leicester City in the FA Cup quarter-finals on Sunday, but the atmosphere was hardly a jubilant one at Stamford Bridge as the Blues struggled to put away their second-tier opponents.

The London side appeared to be cruising towards victory at half-time as they enjoyed a 2-0 lead heading into the break, but an Axel Disasi own goal and a picturesque equaliser by Leicester's Stephy Mavdidi turned things sour for Chelsea with a half-hour still left to play.

With the club well back of the Premier League title race and having recently lost the Carabao Cup final, frustrated fans voiced their displeasure as the team seemed to be allowing their last chance at a trophy this season to slip away.

Certain Chelsea players were booed and Mauricio Pochettino's substitutions jeered as the manager looked to salvage a victory.

However, Pochettino's decisions were ultimately vindicated as two second-half entrants — Carney Chukwuemeka and Noni Madueke — each scored in stoppage time to propel Chelsea to victory and a spot in the semi-finals.

The result in hand, Pochettino implored Chelsea's supporters to demonstrate patience and trust that he has the knowledge and tools to help the club succeed.

"Fans are entitled to show their emotion," Pochettino told BBC One. "For us we try to emphasise with our fans not to criticise. They want the best for our team and players. But we are in a project. We need support and to really believe. We are trying to build something.

"We are in a process to build the team. I know really well how to manage. What the fans want is to win the game and that we achieved. What the fans want is to go to Wembley and that we achieved. They need to trust me to manage in the way I think is the best way for the club.

"We need to respect their opinion as much as they need to respect my decision."

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