Mauricio Pochettino: Chelsea Boss’ Reaction to Conor Gallagher’s Late Winner Goes Viral

• Conor Gallagher came off the bench to win it for Chelsea against Leeds
• The midfielder was slammed for his misses against Liverpool recently
• Mauricio Pochettino was impressed with his star's cameo in the FA Cup

Conor Gallagher came off the bench to score the winner for Chelsea against Leeds United in the FA Cup fifth round, and no one could have been happier than his manager.

The Blues progressed to the quarter-final of the 2023/24 cup competition, where they will face Leicester City after a hard-fought win over Leeds United at Stamford Bridge.

Mateo Joseph put the visitors ahead before striker Nicolas Jackson and winger, Mykhailo Mudryk, responded to put Mauricio Pochettino’s team ahead going into half-time.

The Spanish forward returned to haunt the home team in the second half and equalised for the Championship team before Gallagher stepped up in the 89th minute with a winner.

AFCON 2023: Taribo West Blames Jose Peseiro for Nigeria’s Defeat in the Final vs Ivory Coast

Football

Pochettino reacts to Gallagher’s winner

Chelsea appeared destined for another replay after winning against Aston Villa in the second leg of the previous round before their English midfielder saved the day.

As seen in a video on social media, the Argentine boss was visibly delighted after his substitute won the game, something that rarely happens in his time as manager at the club.

Gallagher and Pochettino received criticism after the Carabao Cup final - the player for missed chances and the manager for his in-game management.

After the Leeds win, the former Tottenham Hotspur boss praised the academy star.

"He is an important player, and there is no doubt. We were talking at the beginning of the season; the contribution was fantastic for the team. I'm so happy for him," Poch said via Football London.

Lionel Messi: Excited Newell's players line up to get photos with club legend and Inter Miami star

Football

"I said: okay, don't become top scorer, don't score too many goals [smiles]. But the effort is there, and the quality is there."

Their time together at the club could end in the summer, with the manager likely to leave and the player likely to be sold.

Mudryk explains goal celebration

Sports Brief has also reported on Mudryk explaining his new goal celebration after scoring for Chelsea on his return to the starting lineup in the number 10 position.

The Ukrainian has been one of the players for whom Pochettino got the stick from the fans over his treatment, but the ex-Shakhtar Donetsk star is finding his groove.