Marc Cucurella follows Cole Palmer with clear message over Chelsea sacking Mauricio Pochettino

Marc Cucurella has backed Mauricio Pochettino but has accepted Chelsea's form has not made the squad happy this season.

The Blues are in 11th-place in the Premier League table, within a point of Newcastle United after beating the Magpies on Monday evening at Stamford Bridge. Goals from Nicolas Jackson, Cole Palmer and Mykhailo Mudryk ensured the hosts left with all three points in SW6 despite some late pressure from the visitors.

Cucurella was brought back into the lineup for the first time in around three months after he had surgery on an ankle problem. The Spaniard was very impressive given the circumstances and the context of his appearance. The 25-year-old completed the full 100 minutes – after stoppage time – for the Blues.

«I think the team deserved the win,» Cucurella said to NBC Sports. «We controlled the game well, we conceded two easy goals in the game but I think it's part of the game. It's very important for us, and on Sunday we have another important game.»

Coming into the game there were huge questions being asked over Pochettino and the club's owners following what supporters deem a lack of progress this season. Nine days before the win over Newcastle, the Blues were held to a 2-2 draw away at Brentford despite taking a first-half lead.

There were loud chants on that day coming from the away section at the Gtech Community Stadium with the supporters voicing their displeasure at Pochettino and Todd Boehly specifically. Inevitably, Pochettino was asked numerous questions in his pre-match press conference last week about the chants and his future, but showed no sign of giving up trying to convince fans he is the right man to lead the club forward.

Cole Palmer makes bold Chelsea claim as Mykhailo Mudryk sends clear