Graham Potter has taken responsibility for Chelsea’s struggles and intends to “ride out any storm” after the 1-0 defeat at Stamford Bridge to Manchester City.
A sixth defeat of the campaign leaves Chelsea 10 points behind fourth place, with the Blues as close to the relegation zone as they are to the Champions League spots.
The loss also hands Potter’s side a grim record in the past eight games, with just one victory and four losses, totalling just six points from a possible 24.
Potter has had his fair share of bad injury luck, losing Raheem Sterling and Christian Pulisic early against Pep Guardiola’s side on top of a training session blow for Mason Mount, but he is not using the packed treatment room as an excuse.
“When you consider everything, in terms of losing Raheem really early and Christian as well, the lads gave everything,” Potter told Sky Sports. “It was a spirited performance, we had some opportunities against a top team. Apart from the result – you never like to lose – I’m proud of the players in terms of everything they gave.
“It’s tough at the moment, I must admit, and I feel for the boys. We have to stick together. It was disappointing to lose the guys, but the players that came in, the players that were on the pitch, gave everything and that’s all you can ask for.”
Chelsea’s injury list is preventing them reaching their potential, but Potter said: “We can’t complain about it. We have to just get on with it.
“The boys that were on the pitch gave everything, and they did what we asked them to do. There was some spirit and some quality and some opportunities. Manchester City don’t give you much, but I thought we earned something from the game, but it is what it is.
“You always have to take your responsibility, and when you’re not playing well you want to improve that. But you hope people look at the whole context and see where we are and what we have had to deal with, but at the same time emotions are high, that’s how it is, you have to try and ride out any storm and try to stay level.”
Chelsea go again against City in the FA Cup on Sunday, then facing four London derbies in their next five Premier League matches – with the exception being a clash against Liverpool.
