By Taiwo Ibrahim
Chelsea manager, Mauricio Pochettino has reserved special praises for Raheem Sterling and Cole Palmer following their impressive performances in the 4-1 win over Burnley on Saturday, Sportivationng.com reports.
Sterling played a part in all four goals as Chelsea earned a third consecutive win in all competitions.
Burnley opened the scoring against the run of play through Odobert in the 15th minute before Al Dakhil diverted Sterling’s effort into his own net just before halftime to make it 1-1.
Cole Palmer put Chelsea in the lead just after the restart from the spot after Vitinho fouled Sterling.
Sterling turned goalscorer in the 65th minute when he finished off Gallagher’s pass to increase Chelsea’s lead.
He also had a hand in Nico Jackson’s goal with a mazy run to locate Palmer, who teed up the Senegalese striker to score his second Premier League goal of the season.
Pochettino praised Sterling for another stunning performance after he was dropped from the England squad ahead of the international break.
“It’s his job to play well, no? He was involved in the goals. I’m so happy for him.
The performance was fantastic & we go into the break with a different feeling… [Raheem] knows he needs to perform & show the manager of the national team he’s wrong.”
“I think a player with his experience knows he needs to perform and to show the manager of the national team he was wrong in the decision,” said Pochettino
“Only with performances and scoring goals is he going to show he deserved to go.”
Sterling seems unbothered after another latest snub from Gareth Southgate.
“I wouldn’t say I had something to prove,” Sterling, speaking to Match of the Day, said.
“I took the strike and I’m happy to score. We’re just building, that’s all we can do.
Just keep building and keep working on the training field to replicate that in matches.”
Pochettino also hailed the performance of Cole Palmer, who scored his first Premier League goal against Burnley.
“He is a very talented player and he has quality. He surprised me when he arrived because it was the day before the transfer window closed. The way he reads situations and what the team needs in every situation, he can be the player who can link with his team-mates.
Still very very young but with great personality and he has the talent and the quality which we saw today.”
It is the first time Chelsea have secured back-to-back away wins in the Premier League since October 2022.
After the international break, Chelsea will host Arsenal at Stamford Bridge on October 21.
