William Saliba celebrates after Gabriel's goal for Arsenal that earned his team victory against Chelsea in the Premier League game at Stamford Bridge on November 6, 2022. PA
William Saliba celebrates after Gabriel's goal for Arsenal that earned his team victory against Chelsea in the Premier League game at Stamford Bridge on November 6, 2022. PA
Arsenal's Gabriel Jesus has a shot saved by Chelsea goalkeeper Edouard Mendy. Getty
Arsenal's Gabriel Jesus has a shot saved by Chelsea goalkeeper Edouard Mendy. Getty
Chelsea attacker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang looks dejected after Arsenal's goal. Reuters
Chelsea attacker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang looks dejected after Arsenal's goal. Reuters
Arsenal's Granit Xhaka slides to try and prevent the ball going out for a throw-in. Reuters
Arsenal's Granit Xhaka slides to try and prevent the ball going out for a throw-in. Reuters
Arsenal's Gabriel, left, celebrates with teammates after scoring. Getty
Arsenal's Gabriel, left, celebrates with teammates after scoring. Getty
Arsenal's Gabriel Jesus heads a chance wide in the first half. Getty
Arsenal's Gabriel Jesus heads a chance wide in the first half. Getty
Chelsea attacker Raheem Sterling. Reuters
Chelsea attacker Raheem Sterling. Reuters
Gabriel Jesus of Arsenal almost takes a boot in the face from Chelsea defender Trevoh Chalobah. Getty
Gabriel Jesus of Arsenal almost takes a boot in the face from Chelsea defender Trevoh Chalobah. Getty
Chelsea's Raheem Sterling battles for the ball with Arsenal left-back Oleksandr Zinchenko. Reuters
Chelsea's Raheem Sterling battles for the ball with Arsenal left-back Oleksandr Zinchenko. Reuters
Tempers flare late in the game at Stamford Bridge. PA
Tempers flare late in the game at Stamford Bridge. PA
Arsenal attacker Bukayo Saka crosses the ball. AFP
Arsenal attacker Bukayo Saka crosses the ball. AFP

Sport

Football

Graham Potter says criticism part of job 'you have to deal with' after Chelsea defeats

Blues manager goes into League Cup clash at Manchester City on back of two Premier League losses

The National

November 08, 2022

  • English
  • Arabic

Chelsea manager Graham Potter accepts criticism is part of the job “you have to deal with” after his team suffered back-to-back defeats in the Premier League.

On Sunday, Chelsea were beaten 1-0 at home by London rivals Arsenal, which came one week after an embarrassing 4-1 thrashing at Potter's former club Brighton.

Up until that defeat at the Amex Stadium, Potter had been unbeaten since taking over from Thomas Tuchel in September – a run that included home and away victories against Italian champions AC Milan in the Champions League that helped secure their place in the last 16, where they will take on Borussia Dortmund.

But the honeymoon period is over for Potter after Arsenal's victory at Stamford Bridge when Chelsea managed just one shot on target and now they face a League Cup third-round tie at Manchester City on Wednesday.

“I would be lying if I said I didn't expect it at some point. You take this job on and of course there are going to be times when it is not a pleasant road. You have to deal with that,” the Blues coach said in Tuesday's press conference.

“We have had a six-week period when we have played 13 matches, eight of them away. It has a toll, with some injuries to key players. It can get messy, that is part of the process. I have been through it at Brighton, at Swansea and my club in Sweden.

“It is what it is. That is part of what the job is, to deal with it.

“When results were good I was honest enough to say there were things we needed to improve. It's not as if I could say we had cracked football.

Chelsea 0 Arsenal 1: player ratings

CHELSEA RATINGS: Edouard Mendy 6: Distribution not the best at times but had quiet afternoon until being called into action to save from Jesus just after hour mark with Arsenal’s first shot on target. Let down by defence for goal. Getty
CHELSEA RATINGS: Edouard Mendy 6: Distribution not the best at times but had quiet afternoon until being called into action to save from Jesus just after hour mark with Arsenal’s first shot on target. Let down by defence for goal. Getty
Cesar Azpilicueta 7: Shown yellow card for winning challenge ahead of Martinelli with studs showing. Solid performance, though, from Spanish defender on day when Chelsea's woeful lack of attacking threat was their main problem. AP
Cesar Azpilicueta 7: Shown yellow card for winning challenge ahead of Martinelli with studs showing. Solid performance, though, from Spanish defender on day when Chelsea's woeful lack of attacking threat was their main problem. AP
Trevoh Chalobah 7: Picked up booking for cynical foul on Jesus after error by teammate Cucurella that would have seen Brazilian in on goal. Kept place in team despite Kalidou Koulibaly being on bench and rewarded manager’s faith with good show at the back. EPA
Trevoh Chalobah 7: Picked up booking for cynical foul on Jesus after error by teammate Cucurella that would have seen Brazilian in on goal. Kept place in team despite Kalidou Koulibaly being on bench and rewarded manager’s faith with good show at the back. EPA
Thiago Silva 7: Brilliant block on Jesus after Gunners attacker slalomed through the Chelsea defence on 20 minutes. Lost same player soon after, though, and would have been relieved when striker missed headed chance. AP
Thiago Silva 7: Brilliant block on Jesus after Gunners attacker slalomed through the Chelsea defence on 20 minutes. Lost same player soon after, though, and would have been relieved when striker missed headed chance. AP
Marc Cucurella 6: Intriguing battle with Saka with the pair exchanging fouls throughout the game. Lucky not to be penalised for handball right on edge of box when ball clearly hit his arm but strangely deemed accidental. AP
Marc Cucurella 6: Intriguing battle with Saka with the pair exchanging fouls throughout the game. Lucky not to be penalised for handball right on edge of box when ball clearly hit his arm but strangely deemed accidental. AP
Jorginho 6: Italian was not his usual influence in middle of park and his passing not up to usual standards as Chelsea spent much of game chasing Arsenal shadows. AP
Jorginho 6: Italian was not his usual influence in middle of park and his passing not up to usual standards as Chelsea spent much of game chasing Arsenal shadows. AP
Ruben Loftus-Cheek 5: Struggled to cope with Arsenal’s midfield pressing and failed to supply the incisive passing Chelsea were crying out for. Reuters
Ruben Loftus-Cheek 5: Struggled to cope with Arsenal’s midfield pressing and failed to supply the incisive passing Chelsea were crying out for. Reuters
Raheem Sterling 6: Threaded lovely through ball to put Havertz away down wing in first half and tried to offer a bit of attacking impetus but generally frustrating day for the attacker who picked up a late booking for foul on Partey. Reuters
Raheem Sterling 6: Threaded lovely through ball to put Havertz away down wing in first half and tried to offer a bit of attacking impetus but generally frustrating day for the attacker who picked up a late booking for foul on Partey. Reuters
Mason Mount 5: Strangely anonymous performance from England attacker who barely figured as game passed him by. Reuters
Mason Mount 5: Strangely anonymous performance from England attacker who barely figured as game passed him by. Reuters
Kai Havertz 4: Wasted a couple of great opportunities to set up Aubameyang with poor crosses in first half – one went out for throw-in, the other hit weakly straight at Ramsdale. No better after break and was at fault for failing to get anything on Saka’s corner that led to goal. EPA
Kai Havertz 4: Wasted a couple of great opportunities to set up Aubameyang with poor crosses in first half – one went out for throw-in, the other hit weakly straight at Ramsdale. No better after break and was at fault for failing to get anything on Saka’s corner that led to goal. EPA
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang 3: Former Gunner was predictably booed from the off and endeared himself further with early booking for poor late tackle on White. Striker had just four touches of the ball in first half and was no surprise when he was hooked in second half, to the delight of away fans. Reuters
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang 3: Former Gunner was predictably booed from the off and endeared himself further with early booking for poor late tackle on White. Striker had just four touches of the ball in first half and was no surprise when he was hooked in second half, to the delight of away fans. Reuters
SUBS: Armando Broja (On for Aubameyang 66’) 5: Offered little more attacking threat than man he replaced. Reuters
SUBS: Armando Broja (On for Aubameyang 66’) 5: Offered little more attacking threat than man he replaced. Reuters
Conor Gallagher (On for Havertz 66’) 5: A yellow card for pulling down Tierney was his main contributuion after coming on. Reuters
Conor Gallagher (On for Havertz 66’) 5: A yellow card for pulling down Tierney was his main contributuion after coming on. Reuters
Mateo Kovacic (On for Loftus-Cheek 78’) N/A. EPA
Mateo Kovacic (On for Loftus-Cheek 78’) N/A. EPA
Christian Pulisic (On for Mount 78’) N/A. AFP
Christian Pulisic (On for Mount 78’) N/A. AFP
ARSENAL RATINGS: Aaron Ramsdale 6: Very little to do as Chelsea managed just one shot on target and goalkeeper will certainly have busier days at office. PA
ARSENAL RATINGS: Aaron Ramsdale 6: Very little to do as Chelsea managed just one shot on target and goalkeeper will certainly have busier days at office. PA
Ben White 8: Dragged shot wide of target when well placed in 10th minute. Showed impressive determination and timing to beat Chelsea attackers to dangerous Sterling cross with 10 minutes to go. Reuters
Ben White 8: Dragged shot wide of target when well placed in 10th minute. Showed impressive determination and timing to beat Chelsea attackers to dangerous Sterling cross with 10 minutes to go. Reuters
Gabriel 8: Tapped home on goalline to put Arsenal in front from Saka corner. Brazilian was immaculate at the back, helping keep Aubameyang and Havertz very quiet. EPA
Gabriel 8: Tapped home on goalline to put Arsenal in front from Saka corner. Brazilian was immaculate at the back, helping keep Aubameyang and Havertz very quiet. EPA
William Saliba 8: Vital stretching interception to prevent Aubameyang getting through on goal. One swing and miss attempted clearance at start of second half almost gifted chance to Aumbameyang but was generally excellent at back for Gunners. AFP
William Saliba 8: Vital stretching interception to prevent Aubameyang getting through on goal. One swing and miss attempted clearance at start of second half almost gifted chance to Aumbameyang but was generally excellent at back for Gunners. AFP
Oleksandr Zinchenko 6: One magnificently bad foul throw in first half after ball slipped as he went to take it and his distribution was generally below par in first half. Looked a bit rusty on comeback from injury. Reuters
Oleksandr Zinchenko 6: One magnificently bad foul throw in first half after ball slipped as he went to take it and his distribution was generally below par in first half. Looked a bit rusty on comeback from injury. Reuters
Thomas Partey 8: Such a key figure for Arsenal in the anchorman role. Strong presence in middle of park and Arsenal dominated midfield areas from start to finish.
Thomas Partey 8: Such a key figure for Arsenal in the anchorman role. Strong presence in middle of park and Arsenal dominated midfield areas from start to finish.
Granit Xhaka 8: In great form for Arsenal and benefits from having Partey alongside him in midfield. Wouldn't be Xhaka without a bit of a ruckus and his exchange of views with Chalobah late on sparked a lively melee between the two sides. EPA
Granit Xhaka 8: In great form for Arsenal and benefits from having Partey alongside him in midfield. Wouldn't be Xhaka without a bit of a ruckus and his exchange of views with Chalobah late on sparked a lively melee between the two sides. EPA
Martin Odegaard 7: Had glorious chance to make it 2-0 when he cut back on to his left foot, when could have shot earlier with right, and fired shot over bar. Quiet attacking wide by his standards but passing was usual immaculate standard. Reuters
Martin Odegaard 7: Had glorious chance to make it 2-0 when he cut back on to his left foot, when could have shot earlier with right, and fired shot over bar. Quiet attacking wide by his standards but passing was usual immaculate standard. Reuters
Bukayo Saka 7: Attacker, making 150th appearance for Gunners, earned himself a first-half booking after frustrated challenge on Cucurella and he enjoyed a lively battle with the Spanish defender. Saka's curling corner set up the goal. AFP
Bukayo Saka 7: Attacker, making 150th appearance for Gunners, earned himself a first-half booking after frustrated challenge on Cucurella and he enjoyed a lively battle with the Spanish defender. Saka's curling corner set up the goal. AFP
Gabriel Martinelli 7: In form and always a threat. Whipped shot from edge of box over bar early. Picked out Jesus with perfect cross that teammate should have scored from. Getty
Gabriel Martinelli 7: In form and always a threat. Whipped shot from edge of box over bar early. Picked out Jesus with perfect cross that teammate should have scored from. Getty
Gabriel Jesus 7: Brazilian attacker danced his way through Chelsea defence only to be denied by perfect block by countryman Silva. Should have headed Arsenal into lead but failed to connect properly with Martinelli cross and could do with a goal after failing to score since October 1. Reuters
Gabriel Jesus 7: Brazilian attacker danced his way through Chelsea defence only to be denied by perfect block by countryman Silva. Should have headed Arsenal into lead but failed to connect properly with Martinelli cross and could do with a goal after failing to score since October 1. Reuters
SUBS: Kieran Tierney (On for Zinchenko 78’) N/A. Getty
SUBS: Kieran Tierney (On for Zinchenko 78’) N/A. Getty
Mohamed Elneny (On for Odegaard 87’) N/A. AFP
Mohamed Elneny (On for Odegaard 87’) N/A. AFP
Rob Holding (On for Martinellil 90+3’) N/A. Getty
Rob Holding (On for Martinellil 90+3’) N/A. Getty

“Performance-wise we can improve a lot. That is the challenge. We are looking forward to this game, and the game at Newcastle [on Saturday]. That is when you can learn a lot about each other.”

The match on Wednesday will see Raheem Sterling return to the club where he enjoyed a trophy-laden seven-season spell that ended this summer when he moved to Chelsea.

But Sterling's form has been patchy so far this campaign when he has found the net just three times in 12 Premier League appearances. “You can tell by his reaction he is honest,” Potter said of the 27-year-old attacker, who will be a key player in England's attempt to lift the World Cup in Qatar.

“Players go through moments in their career when it isn't so positive and sometimes everything they touch is gold.

“I don't think you can zoom in to the individual. The team is not functioning as I would like. That has an impact on the individuals and Raheem is an individual within the team. The work for us is to try to improve the team and the structures.

“I have no doubts about Raheem's quality – he is a top, top player.”

Brighton's Leandro Trossard celebrates scoring the first goal in the 4-1 Premier League win against Chelsea at the Amex Stadium on October 29, 2022. PA
Brighton's Leandro Trossard celebrates scoring the first goal in the 4-1 Premier League win against Chelsea at the Amex Stadium on October 29, 2022. PA
Brighton's Leandro Trossard scores the first goal. PA
Brighton's Leandro Trossard scores the first goal. PA
Leandro Trossard celebrates after Chelsea midfielder Ruben Loftus-Cheek scores an own goal to put Brighton 2-0 ahead. AFP
Leandro Trossard celebrates after Chelsea midfielder Ruben Loftus-Cheek scores an own goal to put Brighton 2-0 ahead. AFP
Chelsea manager Graham Potter had a tough afternoon at Brighton. Getty
Chelsea manager Graham Potter had a tough afternoon at Brighton. Getty
Brighton players celebrate after Ruben Loftus-Cheek's own goal made it 3-0. Getty
Brighton players celebrate after Ruben Loftus-Cheek's own goal made it 3-0. Getty
Pervis Estupinan celebrates Brighton's third goal. Getty
Pervis Estupinan celebrates Brighton's third goal. Getty
Kai Havertz pulls a goal back for Chelsea. Getty
Kai Havertz pulls a goal back for Chelsea. Getty
Chelsea's Kai Havertz scores. AP
Chelsea's Kai Havertz scores. AP
Pascal Gross scores Brighton's fourth goal past Edouard Mendy. Getty
Pascal Gross scores Brighton's fourth goal past Edouard Mendy. Getty
Thiago Silva of Chelsea reacts after Pascal Gross scored. Getty
Thiago Silva of Chelsea reacts after Pascal Gross scored. Getty
Brighton manager Roberto De Zerbi applauds fans after the match. Reuters
Brighton manager Roberto De Zerbi applauds fans after the match. Reuters
The biog

Favourite book: Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi

Favourite holiday destination: Spain

Favourite film: Bohemian Rhapsody

Favourite place to visit in the UAE: The beach or Satwa

Children: Stepdaughter Tyler 27, daughter Quito 22 and son Dali 19

The struggle is on for active managers

David Einhorn closed out 2018 with his biggest annual loss ever for the 22-year-old Greenlight Capital.

The firm’s main hedge fund fell 9 per cent in December, extending this year’s decline to 34 percent, according to an investor update viewed by Bloomberg.

Greenlight posted some of the industry’s best returns in its early years, but has stumbled since losing more than 20 per cent in 2015.

Other value-investing managers have also struggled, as a decade of historically low interest rates and the rise of passive investing and quant trading pushed growth stocks past their inexpensive brethren. Three Bays Capital and SPO Partners & Co., which sought to make wagers on undervalued stocks, closed in 2018. Mr Einhorn has repeatedly expressed his frustration with the poor performance this year, while remaining steadfast in his commitment to value investing.

Greenlight, which posted gains only in May and October, underperformed both the broader market and its peers in 2018. The S&P 500 Index dropped 4.4 per cent, including dividends, while the HFRX Global Hedge Fund Index, an early indicator of industry performance, fell 7 per cent through December. 28.

At the start of the year, Greenlight managed $6.3 billion in assets, according to a regulatory filing. By May, the firm was down to $5.5bn. 

UAE Premiership

Results
Dubai Exiles 24-28 Jebel Ali Dragons
Abu Dhabi Harlequins 43-27 Dubai Hurricanes

Fixture
Friday, March 29, Abu Dhabi Harlequins v Jebel Ali Dragons, The Sevens, Dubai

MATCH INFO

Champions League quarter-final, first leg

Ajax v Juventus, Wednesday, 11pm (UAE)

Match on BeIN Sports

INDIA SQUAD

Virat Kohli (capt), Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan, KL Rahul, Vijay Shankar, MS Dhoni (wk), Kedar Jadhav, Dinesh Karthik, Yuzvendra Chahal, Kuldeep Yadav, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Jasprit Bumrah, Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Mohammed Shami

Australia World Cup squad

Aaron Finch (capt), Usman Khawaja, David Warner, Steve Smith, Shaun Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, Alex Carey, Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Jhye Richardson, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Jason Behrendorff, Nathan Lyon, Adam Zampa

Brief scoreline:

Liverpool 5

Keita 1', Mane 23', 66', Salah 45' 1, 83'

Huddersfield 0

BRAZIL SQUAD

Alisson (Liverpool), Daniel Fuzato (Roma), Ederson (Man City); Alex Sandro (Juventus), Danilo (Juventus), Eder Militao (Real Madrid), Emerson (Real Betis), Felipe (Atletico Madrid), Marquinhos (PSG), Renan Lodi (Atletico Madrid), Thiago Silva (PSG); Arthur (Barcelona), Casemiro (Real Madrid), Douglas Luiz (Aston Villa), Fabinho (Liverpool), Lucas Paqueta (AC Milan), Philippe Coutinho (Bayern Munich); David Neres (Ajax), Gabriel Jesus (Man City), Richarlison (Everton), Roberto Firmino (Liverpool), Rodrygo (Real Madrid), Willian (Chelsea).

Indoor cricket in a nutshell

Indoor Cricket World Cup – Sep 16-20, Insportz, Dubai

16 Indoor cricket matches are 16 overs per side

8 There are eight players per team

9 There have been nine Indoor Cricket World Cups for men. Australia have won every one.

5 Five runs are deducted from the score when a wickets falls

4 Batsmen bat in pairs, facing four overs per partnership

Scoring In indoor cricket, runs are scored by way of both physical and bonus runs. Physical runs are scored by both batsmen completing a run from one crease to the other. Bonus runs are scored when the ball hits a net in different zones, but only when at least one physical run is score.

Zones

A Front net, behind the striker and wicketkeeper: 0 runs

B Side nets, between the striker and halfway down the pitch: 1 run

C Side nets between halfway and the bowlers end: 2 runs

D Back net: 4 runs on the bounce, 6 runs on the full

The National photo project

Chris Whiteoak, a photographer at The National, spent months taking some of Jacqui Allan's props around the UAE, positioning them perfectly in front of some of the country's most recognisable landmarks. He placed a pirate on Kite Beach, in front of the Burj Al Arab, the Cheshire Cat from Alice in Wonderland at the Burj Khalifa, and brought one of Allan's snails (Freddie, which represents her grandfather) to the Dubai Frame. In Abu Dhabi, a dinosaur went to Al Ain's Jebel Hafeet. And a flamingo was taken all the way to the Hatta Mountains. This special project suitably brings to life the quirky nature of Allan's prop shop (and Allan herself!).

Match info

Huddersfield Town 0

Chelsea 3
Kante (34'), Jorginho (45' pen), Pedro (80')

Our legal consultant

Name: Dr Hassan Mohsen Elhais

Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.

The specs

Price: From Dh529,000

Engine: 5-litre V8

Transmission: Eight-speed auto

Power: 520hp

Torque: 625Nm

Fuel economy, combined: 12.8L/100km

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Updated: November 08, 2022, 4:04 PM
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