Tuchel downplayed Chelsea’s poor performance before the clash with Tottenham

LONDON: Coach Thomas Tuchel downplayed Chelsea’s poor performance in 1-1 against Brighton & Hove Albion in Premier League, citing players’ frustration over the team’s decline in the title race. Chelsea players have missed the game in this tie, extending the record unbeaten team in four-game league, 12 points behind leaders Manchester City, but Chelsea played one game in more. “After the defeat against City and the growing gap in advantage, we played another game two days later and saw the morale of the players drop, “Tuchel told reporters before facing Tottenham. They may have been a little frustrated and disappointed and it was difficult to play at our level today “It was the first time the team was like this, so let’s not exaggerate things.” Chelsea have already beaten Spurs three times in this season, having won 3-0 overall in the League Cup semi-finals this month, as well as beating the Spurs in championship in September. But Tuchel insisted that the impressive record of his team recently against London rivals did not give him a psychological advantage in view of the game on Sunday. “We know the competition between us is great,” he said. We met them three times in a short period of time. “They know how we play and so do we. We beat them and will try to repeat it. “It doesn’t give us any advantage and we have to go inside in I play with a good mindset to get the best performance. “(Reuters)