“Painful” – Mauricio Pochettino reacts to Reece James’s costly decision in Chelsea win over Brighton

Mauricio Pochettino described Reece James’ late red card as “painful” a d disappointing after Chelsea’s 2-1 win over Brighton brought them close to European qualification, Soccernet.football reports.

James will miss Chelsea’s final game this season and the first three matches of the next season. The Chelsea captain was sent off in the 88th minute for kicking Brighton’s Joao Pedro, his second red card of the season.

James, who had only recently returned from hamstring surgery, now faces a four-match ban. He will be unavailable before England manager Gareth Southgate names his preliminary Euro 2024 squad.

Goals from Cole Palmer and Christopher Nkunku lifted Chelsea to sixth place, three points behind fifth-placed Tottenham and three ahead of Newcastle and Manchester United.

As per The Mirror, Pochettino expressed his disappointment, saying, “It’s difficult to give my opinion because I didn’t have time to see the action. Maybe it’s the frustration of him.

“But, yes, painful. Painful because it was a fantastic night of football and he’s our captain and a really important player. I’m disappointed because now he’s going to miss the next game and maybe a few games next season.”

Brighton’s Danny Welbeck scored a consolation goal in added time after Palmer’s first-half header and Nkunku’s 64th-minute goal.

Chelsea can finish fifth if they beat Bournemouth at Stamford Bridge and Tottenham lose to Sheffield United on the final day of the season. Mauricio Pochettino described Reece James’ late red card as “painful” a d disappointing after Chelsea’s 2-1 win over Brighton brought them close to European qualification, Soccernet.football reports.

James will miss Chelsea’s final game this season and the first three matches of the next season. The Chelsea captain was sent off in the 88th minute for kicking Brighton’s Joao Pedro, his second red card of the season.

James, who had only recently returned from hamstring surgery, now faces a four-match ban. He will be unavailable before England manager Gareth Southgate names his preliminary Euro 2024 squad.

Goals from Cole Palmer and Christopher Nkunku lifted Chelsea to sixth place, three points behind fifth-placed Tottenham and three ahead of Newcastle and Manchester United.

As per The Mirror, Pochettino expressed his disappointment, saying, “It’s difficult to give my opinion because I didn’t have time to see the action. Maybe it’s the frustration of him.

“But, yes, painful. Painful because it was a fantastic night of football and he’s our captain and a really important player. I’m disappointed because now he’s going to miss the next game and maybe a few games next season.”

Brighton’s Danny Welbeck scored a consolation goal in added time after Palmer’s first-half header and Nkunku’s 64th-minute goal.

Chelsea can finish fifth if they beat Bournemouth at Stamford Bridge and Tottenham lose to Sheffield United on the final day of the season.