Chelsea Win ‘Must Be’ Turning Point – Pochettino2 min read

Nicolas Jackson claimed his second goal for Chelsea

Mauricio Pochettino says Chelsea’s victory over Brighton in the third round of the Carabao Cup ‘must be’ the turning point of their season.

Chelsea have struggled to find the net this season and won just one of their six games in the Premier League, and Pochettino says the win over the Seagulls must be the result to kick-start their campaign.

“It should be, it must be,” he said. “It’s about time. Today there were many positive things – we saw the players fighting to give their best.”

Creating chances has not been a problem for Pochettino’s side and they are above Arsenal, Tottenham and Manchester United for expected goals this season with 11.61, but they have found the net just five times in the league so far.

Chelsea and Brighton have dealt with each other a lot in the past 12 months with 10 members of staff having moved to Stamford Bridge for around £200m – and the match carried an extra edge.

Jackson’s winning strike – which sealed a home tie against Blackburn in the week commencing 30 October – came in the 50th minute after a fine move.

Ian Maatsen played the ball to Cole Palmer – excellent on his first start – who put the ball through Jan Paul van Hecke’s legs for Jackson to sweep into the bottom corner.

That goal was the first Chelsea had scored in four matches and gave them a much-needed boost as Pochettino looks to get his project moving in the right direction.

Solly March had the chance to get Brighton level late in the second half when he was left unmarked, but his header was straight at former Seagulls keeper Robert Sanchez.

Chelsea’s line-up included three former Brighton players and every time they touched the ball early in the match they were jeered by their former supporters.