*** ‘Shame’ of penalty pantomine overshadows big Chelsea win for Pochettino | THE DAILY TRIBUNE | KINGDOM OF BAHRAIN

‘Shame’ of penalty pantomine overshadows big Chelsea win for Pochettino

AFP | London     

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com

Mauricio Pochettino said on Monday he will not accept seeing his players squabble over penalty duties after his biggest win, as the Chelsea boss was marred by teammates fighting to take a spot-kick.

Cole Palmer eventually took responsibility for scoring his fourth goal in a 6-0 rout of Everton to move the Blues to within three points of the Premier League’s top six.

However, a night to savour for Pochettino was soured by Noni Madueke and Nicolas Jackson having to be forcibly removed by captain Conor Gallagher to allow Palmer to continue his perfect record from the spot this season with the score at 4-0.

“It’s a shame,” said Pochettino.

“I was telling the players. We had a meeting with all the staff, I think we cannot behave in this way.

“I told them this is the last time I accept this type of behaviour. It’s impossible after a performance like this to show this kind of behaviour.

“If we want to be a big team fighting for big things, we have to think more of the collective... I won’t accept that this happens again.”

Palmer’s ninth successful penalty of the campaign took him level with Manchester City striker Erling Haaland on 20 Premier League goals in the battle to win the Golden Boot.

Raheem Sterling pulled rank on his former City teammate when he missed a penalty in Chelsea’s FA Cup quarter-final win over Leicester last month.

Palmer was adamant that he will remain on spot-kicks but tried to play down the significance of the incident.

“Other players wanted to take it, but I am the penalty taker, and I wanted to take it,” said Palmer.

“I think we are showing everyone is wanting to take responsibility.

It may be a bit over the top, but everyone wants to win – we are laughing and joking about it.”