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Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino has called on fans to 'support' Raheem Sterling after he was booed in Sunday's win over Leicester City. The 29-year-old missed a penalty, spurned a gilt-edged chance and a shanked a dangerous free-kick off target while also assisting Cole Palmer in rollercoaster afternoon.
Sterling's mistakes were ultimately avenged by his team-mates as Chelsea scored twice in stoppage time to seal a 4-2 win, sending them through to the FA Cup semi-finals at Leicester's expense.
Having won a penalty after Marc Cucurella's opener, Sterling had a golden chance to double the lead but scuffed a tame spot-kick towards Jakub Stolarczyk. The former Manchester City man's finishing was off the mark all afternoon as he then curled a one-on-one opportunity miles wide of the post.
But it was a miscued free-kick which flew into the stands that sparked boos from Chelsea supporters, and a smattering of them also gave Sterling a piece of their mind when he was substituted in the second half.
Pochettino was having none of it after the game, however, demanding encouragement for the wide man who notched an assist by setting up Palmer for Chelsea's second of the game.
"We need to support him, he's an amazing player," the Argentine told BBC One. "He has more than 10 years of experience in the Premier League. Of course I think the contribution was good.
"He was a little bit unlucky with some actions where he should have scored. But we are a team and we need to be there for everyone. Fans are entitled to show their emotion. For us we try to emphasise with our fans not to criticise. They want the best for our team and players.
"But we are in a project. We need support and to really believe. We are trying to build something. We are in a process to build the team. I know really well how to manage. What the fans want is to win the game and that we achieved.
"What the fans want is to go to Wembley and that we achieved. They need to trust me to manage in the way I think is the best way for the club. We need to respect their opinion as much as they need to respect my decision."
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