Chelsea manager Liam Rosenior has admitted he understands why the fans booed them at half-time during the win over West Ham United at Stamford Bridge on Saturday, January 31. He added that their performance was not at the level it needed to be, but was delighted to make the comeback.
Speaking to the media after the win over West Ham United, Rosenior said he used the booing to push the players to perform better in the second half. He added that the performance was poor and he would have booed the players if he were in the stands as well. He said (via Football London):
"I have to say the fans were magnificent in the second half. I could sense after two minutes of the second half they were with us. They were right to boo. I would have booed us in the first half. Our performance was nowhere near the level it needed to be collectively in terms of our energy and our decision-making. That's fair."
"So to see them after the game, 45 minutes later, so happy and delighted with what they saw from the team makes me very proud. I said to the players at half-time, we can make what probably is the worst feeling of the season the best feeling of the season. And I think they went out and performed magnificently in the second half."
Chelsea fell 2-0 behind to West Ham United at half-time during the game on Saturday, with goals from Jarrod Bowen and Crysencio Summerville. Rosenior took off Alejandro Garnacho, Benoit Badiashile, and Jorrel Hato at the break for Joao Pedro, Marc Cucurella, and Wesley Fofana.
The trio played a key role in the second-half comeback, as the Brazilian and Spaniard scored, while the Frenchman assisted the first goal of the comeback. Joao Pedro went on to assist the winner from Enzo Fernandez in injury to seal a 3-2 win.
Trevoh Chalobah was involved in an argument with Chelsea fans at half time
Trevoh Chalobah was spotted having an exchange with Chelsea fans as the players made their way back to the dressing room at half time. Robert Sanchez had to urge the fans to stay calm, and Rosenior said he was delighted that the players managed to change the mood at full time. The manager said:
"He definitely didn't at the end of the game when the whole stadium were cheering his performance. Trevoh was excellent. Look, this is a club with huge demands. The fans pay fortunes to watch us play. They demand the minimum that we win duels. We've run for each other and I felt in the first half that wasn't there."
Chelsea travel across London to next face Arsenal in the Carabao Cup semifinal second leg. They are currently 3-2 down after the first leg.