Tuchel ‘cannot accept’ Chelsea showing in West Brom defeat

Thomas Tuchel says he ‘cannot accept’ the Chelsea performance in their 5-2 defeat at the hands of West Brom.

The Blues took the lead in the first half through Christian Pulisic, who reacted first to a Marcos Alonso free-kick.

But they went down to 10 men soon afterwards as Thiago Silva picked up a second yellow card.

That decision seemed to give West Brom more impetus and they punished Chelsea with two goals before the break.

Matheus Pereira beat Edouard Mendy with two nice finishes.

Goals from Callum Robinson and Mbaye Diagne seemed to end proceedings in the second half.

Mason Mount pulled one back for the Blues but West Brom had the last laugh as Robinson made it five.

The defeat ended Chelsea’s 14-match unbeaten league run under Tuchel.

Reacting to the loss, he told BT Sport (via BBC Sport): “There was nothing so much until the red card came. After that we were unable to cope with the situation. I don’t know why.

“We gave away two very easy goals. What could go wrong went wrong after the red card. We have to accept the big loss. We did big mistakes before the two yellow cards. There were too many easy ball losses. It’s impossible for us to accept this situation.

“Every shot was a goal from them. Clearly it was not our day today. We will get the right response. First of all it’s important we digest it. I did not see it coming, now we have to take our responsibilities – me included – and shake it off.”

Chelsea’s defensive improvements have been widely celebrated since Tuchel took charge in late January.

But the ease at which West Brom split them open on multiple occasions will be a major worry for the German boss.

The Baggies showed far superior finishing, too. Matheus Pereira took his first goal brilliantly to chip Mendy. Robinson’s first was a powerful strike and his second was a lovely dink into the net.

Chelsea, meanwhile, missed chances through Mount and Zouma.

Mount, who was in great form for England during the international break, saw a good chance tipped wide by keeper Sam Johnstone.

Zouma won the ball from a corner but couldn’t direct it under the bar

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