Maurizio Sarri on Fulham win, N'Golo Kante and Loftus-Cheek goal

Goals from Pedro and Ruben Loftus-Cheek earned Chelsea a 2-0 west London derby victory over Fulham that put the Blues third in the Premier League table.   Following the game, Chelsea boss Maurizio Sarri has faced the press. Thoughts on the performance? I think today it was really very important the result. we started very well. Then after 1-0 the players had a good application of attention, but we didn’t kill the match. But today we were a little tense, nervous. Of course it wasn’t easy the days after Tottenham for me and the players. But we have talked too much about that much. We lost it after three months and a half, it can happen. It was important to react. In the mind of the players there was only the result.

Did your criticism make them tense?

I don’t know. I think against Tottenham 11 players played very badly. It was natural to give them another chance.

Kante

I think he played very well, he defended very well. He needs to improve a little more from the tactical point of view, but that is natural. Last season he played with two or three midfielders but in central, so he needs to improve (tactically). Today was better, because when the ball was on the other side of the pitch it was better. He has to stay very close to Jorginho, otherwise it is a problem.

Early kick-off

I don’t know. As you know it is not easy for the players to start at 12, we don’t like it but if you asked 100 players the answer is the same. We have to play at 12, so we play at 12.

Loftus-Cheek

In the last three weeks he has solved me problems. In the Europa League it was the best performance from the tactical point of view. I put him on the pitch without problems and sure about his performance.

Morata and Giroud

No, they need to only find continuity. Morata had a good period, Giroud is in a good period. Of course it is normal that sometimes it is Morata, sometimes play Giroud. That is normal.

Control of the game

I think we were in control of the match. But I think we were nervous, so it wasn’t easy to play. The team was really very applicated on the pitch. We could have done better in offensive phase, I think. But we were tense. At 1-0 you have to keep the result.

Premier League. Chelsea 2-0 Fulham All goals and Highlights (VIDEO)