Hakim Ziyech refused to celebrate his opener for Chelsea in the 1-1 draw at Brighton and Hove Albion and spent much of the first half bickering with teammate Romelu Lukaku on Tuesday.
But manager Thomas Tuchel said he was unconcerned by Ziyech's sulky reaction — an apparent response to the manager's criticism of Chelsea's attack last weekend.
“I am happy. He can score 20 more and not celebrate I have no problem,” Tuchel said. “It is normal that they talk, are not happy and don't like it if we say we want more from them.”
Ziyech's fiercely-struck low shot gave Chelsea the lead after 28 minutes but they were out-run by a tenacious Brighton side who deservedly levelled after the break when Adam Webster powered home a header from a corner.
The draw extended third-placed Chelsea's winless run in the league to four games and they are 12 points behind leaders Manchester City having played a game more.
Tuchel admitted his side were physically and mentally jaded after a punishing schedule that has seen them play 15 games since the start of December.
“We have played since November; we play and play and play. We need to recharge the batteries and disconnect. This is my feeling,” Tuchel said.
“In the reaction of the goal, you can see that we are tired. We are relieved to score but there is no joy.
“We will use Friday and Saturday to prepare for Sunday against Tottenham.”
On record signing Lukaku, whose relationship with Tuchel has been strained this season, the German said: “There are too many questions about Romelu and too many answers about Romelu.”
Ninth-placed Brighton continue to impress under Graham Potter and would not have been flattered if they had won.
“I'm so proud of the players. It was a fantastic performance. They gave themselves a chance to win, but it wasn't to be. The supporters appreciated the way they played. We take the point and move forward,” Potter said.
Having been serious title contenders a few weeks ago, Chelsea have managed only three points from the last 12 available and remain in third place with 44 points, 12 behind leaders Manchester City having played a game more.
They are also one point behind Liverpool having played two games more and unless they start to get back on the victory trail soon, they could find their top-four place under threat.
Ninth-placed Brighton have now drawn 11 games this season and Webster said they were disappointed not to get all three points against the European champions.
“I think for the whole game we were the better team. They had a spell at the end but other than that we were the dominant team and on another day hopefully get three points,” he said.
For all Brighton's bright approach play early on they struggled to land a telling blow and were stunned when Ziyech took aim from 25 yards and rifled a low shot that keeper Robert Sanchez could have done better with.
Brighton began the second half on the front foot and Danny Welbeck was played in by Pascal Gross but the striker got his angles wrong and blazed wide.
Just before the hour mark Alexis Mac Allister was picked out by the lively Marc Cucurella but his deflected shot was clawed away by Arrizabalaga.
From the resulting corner Webster thundered a header into the net after finding space in the area. — Reuters
Chelsea boss Tuchel not concerned by Ziyech's non celebration
Image: TONY OBRIEN / REUTERS
Hakim Ziyech refused to celebrate his opener for Chelsea in the 1-1 draw at Brighton and Hove Albion and spent much of the first half bickering with teammate Romelu Lukaku on Tuesday.
But manager Thomas Tuchel said he was unconcerned by Ziyech's sulky reaction — an apparent response to the manager's criticism of Chelsea's attack last weekend.
“I am happy. He can score 20 more and not celebrate I have no problem,” Tuchel said. “It is normal that they talk, are not happy and don't like it if we say we want more from them.”
Ziyech's fiercely-struck low shot gave Chelsea the lead after 28 minutes but they were out-run by a tenacious Brighton side who deservedly levelled after the break when Adam Webster powered home a header from a corner.
The draw extended third-placed Chelsea's winless run in the league to four games and they are 12 points behind leaders Manchester City having played a game more.
Tuchel admitted his side were physically and mentally jaded after a punishing schedule that has seen them play 15 games since the start of December.
“We have played since November; we play and play and play. We need to recharge the batteries and disconnect. This is my feeling,” Tuchel said.
“In the reaction of the goal, you can see that we are tired. We are relieved to score but there is no joy.
“We will use Friday and Saturday to prepare for Sunday against Tottenham.”
On record signing Lukaku, whose relationship with Tuchel has been strained this season, the German said: “There are too many questions about Romelu and too many answers about Romelu.”
Ninth-placed Brighton continue to impress under Graham Potter and would not have been flattered if they had won.
“I'm so proud of the players. It was a fantastic performance. They gave themselves a chance to win, but it wasn't to be. The supporters appreciated the way they played. We take the point and move forward,” Potter said.
Having been serious title contenders a few weeks ago, Chelsea have managed only three points from the last 12 available and remain in third place with 44 points, 12 behind leaders Manchester City having played a game more.
They are also one point behind Liverpool having played two games more and unless they start to get back on the victory trail soon, they could find their top-four place under threat.
Ninth-placed Brighton have now drawn 11 games this season and Webster said they were disappointed not to get all three points against the European champions.
“I think for the whole game we were the better team. They had a spell at the end but other than that we were the dominant team and on another day hopefully get three points,” he said.
For all Brighton's bright approach play early on they struggled to land a telling blow and were stunned when Ziyech took aim from 25 yards and rifled a low shot that keeper Robert Sanchez could have done better with.
Brighton began the second half on the front foot and Danny Welbeck was played in by Pascal Gross but the striker got his angles wrong and blazed wide.
Just before the hour mark Alexis Mac Allister was picked out by the lively Marc Cucurella but his deflected shot was clawed away by Arrizabalaga.
From the resulting corner Webster thundered a header into the net after finding space in the area. — Reuters
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