Graham Potter was encouraged by the Chelsea display against Manchester City
(Picture: REUTERS)Graham Potter admitted his Chelsea side have to “ride out any storm” as their poor run continued despite a credible display against Manchester City.
The Blues remain tenth in the table after a 1-0 defeat to Pep Guardiola’s side at Stamford Bridge, with Riyad Mahrez’s second-half goal leaving Chelsea as close to the relegation zone as they are the top four.
The match got off to a disastrous start for the hosts as Raheem Sterling was forced off against his former club with just a couple of minutes played, before Christian Pulisic also picked up an injured and quickly followed him down the tunnel.
It adds to an already lengthy injury, Reece James, Ben Chilwell and Wesley Fofana among those already on the sidelines, but Chelsea responded well to the setbacks and were the better side in the first-half.
They struggled after the break as City produced a brilliant 20 minutes after the restart, but Potter was proud of the effort from his side in the circumstances.
“When you consider everything losing Raheem and Christian so early, the lads gave everything,” the Chelsea boss told Sky Sports.
“It was a spirited performance against a top team, so apart from the result I’m proud of the players.
“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 those guys but the players on the pitch and the ones that came in gave everything and that’s all you can ask for.
“You always have to take responsibility 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 and you have to try and ride out any storm and try to stay level. The crowd were behind the team and could see them doing everything.”
