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Graham Potter explains why he did not watch Kai Havertz’s penalty in Dortmund win.
Chelsea manager Graham Potter has admitted to being caught up in the emotions of Tuesday’s enormous 2-0 victory over Borussia Dortmund.
After dropping the first leg 1-0, Chelsea put up a strong performance at Stamford Bridge and earned the victory. Goals from Raheem Sterling and Kai Havertz gave the Blues their first back-to-back victories since October.
Potter has been under so much strain that he was unable to even watch as Havertz had to retake a penalty shot in the second half to score.
The manager sat with his head in his hands as the German striker calmly put the ball in the back of the net after being given another chance after his initial effort struck the post due to some interference.
“After the first one, I thought I’d sit down and listen to the crowd. I wasn’t watching it but delighted when I heard the roar,” Potter told BT Sport after the game.
“Taking penalties is not for me, so I am in awe of anybody [who does].”
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The boss continued: “There is a lot of emotion in the end. It was tense in the end but the boys played fantastic. I am delighted for them to get the win and great for everyone here.
“There was a fantastic feeling in the dressing room. We have been through a toiugh period and this competition means a lot for us. We wanted to progress and get into the last eight and it sets us up for the next few weeks.
“We have to recover and prepare for Saturday when we play Leicester. It is great for the boys, two clean sheets after a tough period. You get that in life and it is about how you respond and the players have been fantastic.
“It was important we put pressure on them and get the crowd with us. It is not easy to do because they are a top team playing with confidence.
“Credit to the players they gave everything and over the two games I thought we deserved to go through.”
Chelsea will want to keep the good times rolling when they return to domestic football at the weekend after securing a position in the Champions League’s last eight.
The Blues will go to battling Leicester on Saturday in an effort to climb out of tenth place in the Premier League.