English Premier LeagueChelsea comfortably beat Fulham to hold on to the EPL fourth place
Chelsea

Thomas Tuchel insists his side showed a pride they are capable of after a comfortable 2-0 win over relegation battling Fulham.

Chelsea

Chelsea took advantage of Friday’s Leicester City 1-1 draw with Southampton to close the gap on the third place. However, Tuchel was more than happy after such a crucial three points.

“We were spot on. It was what we demanded from ourselves. We showed the pride we are capable of — to do it in between two big games. I’m beyond happy that we did it,” Tuchel said.

“There was no lack of concentration. We had some trouble which everyone against this Fulham side has. But there was no lack of concentration and that was key,” he added.

The Chelsea boss admits his side comfortably clinch a 2-0 victory, but Fulham were not an easy fit.

“We knew Fulham gives everyone a hard time. They make you under-perform, and they make you suffer. You cannot get confused with the table,” Tuchel claimed.

“That is why I have the highest respect for what we did today. It was tough for us but we hang in the game. We could decide the match earlier, but it was a tough and very important win, the German added.

The former PSG coach concluded that he hopes his young midfielder Mason Mount returns to face Real Madrid. Mount picked up foot and back knocks while Édouard Mendy (head).

“I hope really that Mason [Mount] is not a big thing and hopefully he can fully recover for Real Madrid.”

The Blues takes on the Spanish giants in Wednesday’s UEFA Champions League semifinals second leg. Chelsea needs to win if they are to progress, though it will be a tight duel. Tuchel’s boys carry an away goal advantage into the second leg and that gives them a boost.