Pochettino hails music as a positive on Chelsea’s form
Mauricio Pochettino believes “music can change everything” after Chelsea fans inspired his team’s 3-1 comeback win at Crystal Palace with a chorus of Bob Marley’s Three Little Birds.
The second half at Selhurst Park was delayed when referee Michael Oliver’s radio equipment failed, during which time the stadium's public address system belted out the 1977 hit.
Away supporters kept the song’s famous refrain “don’t worry about a thing, because every little thing is gonna be all right” going when the game resumed.
Within minutes their prophecy was realised when Conor Gallagher slammed Malo Gusto’s low cross into the top corner to equalise Jefferson Lerma’s first-half strike for Palace.
Afterwards Gallagher, who went on to net the game’s crucial goal to put his side 2-1 up in stoppage-time, said he had been singing the song in his head as he helped drag his side to victory after a dreadful first 45 minutes for Chelsea in south London.
Enzo Fernandez scored a third with almost the game’s final act as Palace chased an equaliser, sealing the Blues’ second 3-1 away win inside of a week after the FA Cup victory at Aston Villa.
Pochettino revealed it was not the first time music has been pivotal to his success as a manager.
He said: “They [fans] were happy, no? They were winning the game and everything was positive for us. After we scored, the feeling changed quick.
“I was so focused I didn’t hear the song. But after the game our fans made it their anthem.
“Music is so important for everyone. It can change your mood, can change your energy, can change everything.
“For sure some players can provide better or more energy. We used to do at Southampton and after at Tottenham [Hotspur], at the end of every single training session, we cheated a bit because we put a speaker in the middle of the pitch and made them run with music, different players choosing every day. We need to suffer, but we did it with music. And they were so happy,
“We haven’t done that here but maybe one day. Music is one of the most important things in life.”
Pochettino takes his side to Etihad Stadium to face Manchester City this weekend seeking a win that could propel it to a season-high position of seventh.
