Chelsea with ‘mountain to climb’ – and Estevao injury is another blow

Liam Rosenior admitted Chelsea have a “mountain to climb” in their bid to qualify for the Champions League following a frustrating 1-0 defeat at home to Manchester United.

The Blues dominated for long periods at Stamford Bridge but were undone by a single United shot on target, leaving their top-four hopes in serious jeopardy.

“It gives us a mountain to climb,” said head coach Rosenior. “It’s not insurmountable, but it gives us a mountain to climb and we have to go into Brighton with an idea that we have to win that game and kickstart the rest of our season.”

Chelsea’s night was further soured by a significant injury to Estevao, who was forced off after pulling up while racing through on goal in the first half.

Rosenior revealed the Brazilian teenager, who could now be a doubt for the World Cup, was in distress as he received treatment in the dressing room.

“He was devastated. He was crying at half-time,” Rosenior said.

“It looks like it’s his hamstring. It’s that moment when he’s running through on their goal for a one-v-one and pulls his hamstring. I hope Estevao comes back sooner rather than later.”

The defeat followed a familiar pattern for Chelsea, who have struggled to convert dominance into points in recent weeks. Despite hitting the woodwork, they were unable to find a breakthrough.

Rosenior added: “Tonight especially was a really difficult result to take. They’ve had one shot on our goal when we’re down to 10 men off an injury and score, and then we have wave after wave of attack.

“We hit the woodwork four or five times. What we can’t do is get into a cycle where we feel like it’s not going to be our day or we feel sorry for ourselves because we have to keep working.

“We were dominant from the first moment of the game to the last, but we have to take care of our moments better and that’s what’s costing us points at this moment in time.”

Midfielder Enzo Fernandez captained the side in the absence of Reece James and drew praise from his manager despite the result, though there are also concerns over his fitness ahead of Tuesday’s fixture.

“I think it was his calf,” Rosenior explained. “I’m hoping it’s cramp. He’s getting work on it right now because we want him fit for Tuesday.

“He ran himself into the ground for the club tonight and I expect nothing different from a man of his stature and his quality.”