‘Chelsea fans are entitled to their view’ – Graham Potter reacts to fans frustration after West Ham draw | OneFootball

Chelsea manager Graham Potter has reacted to the fans’ frustration following his side’s 1-1 draw against West Ham United in the London derby.

Joao Felix grabbed the opening goal in the 16th minute of the tie – his first in a Chelsea shirt in only his second appearance after seeing an earlier goal ruled out for offside by VAR.

However, the Blues saw their lead cancelled out in the 28th minute when former Blue Emerson Palmieri slotted home Jarrod Bowen’s flicked header from the far post.

Thomas Soucek was then the central figure in the controversial moment of the game after he seemed to have committed a handball while trying to block Conor Gallagher’s low shot.

The game ended in a draw, which means Chelsea have now won just one of their last eight league games, and the pressure is mounting on Potter, with the Blues fans frustrated at the result.

Speaking to reporters after the game (via Football Daily), Potter insists the fans are entitled to their views but understands why they are disappointed.

“Chelsea fans are entitled to their view,” Potter said. “Of course they are, and I understand that when we’re not winning, that they’d be disappointed like we are.

“From a performance perspective, you could see the potential of the team, I thought today, but you can also see where the work is.

“That’s just how it is, that’s just how I see it, and I’m just being honest to say how it is, but I completely understand that people are frustrated if you don’t win.”

The 47-year-old also touched on Soucek’s handball decision that was not given with a cheeky comment, claiming it was a good stop from the 27-year-old.

“It looked like a handball to me,” Potter added. “I didn’t know Thomas [Soucek] could get down that easily and save like that – it’s a good stop from him.

“But it’s not for me to say about VAR, it hasn’t been given, so it’s not for me to say. It looks like one of those ones that if it was given, I don’t think it would have been overturned, but it hasn’t been given.”

Potter has been under pressure since Chelsea’s poor form began, with the Blues winning just two of their last 13 Premier League games.

A situation that could be argued he would not have gotten away with under the old regime.

But the Todd Boehly-led administration seems to be patient with the Englishman even after splashing the cash in the transfer market.

Potter has already sent one defiant message to the Chelsea faithful in the aftermath of the defeat to Manchester City, and he seems determined to end the club’s poor form.

The Blues are next in action when they travel to Germany to take on Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League on Wednesday night.