Chelsea head coach Graham Potter acknowledged that Chelsea 'did not do enough to score' once they had conceded within 20 seconds of the restart in a 2-0 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur.
While the Blues went into the game sitting in 10th position in the Premier League standings, they had the opportunity to close the gap to fourth-placed Spurs to eight points while also possessing a match in hand.
Despite initially making a positive start in North London, Chelsea were deservedly beaten by one of their fierce rivals, Oliver Skipp and Harry Kane getting the goals for the hosts.
Skipp's long-range effort came just 19 seconds after the restart, while Kane made sure of the three points for Spurs from close range with eight minutes remaining.
Chelsea have now lost successive top-flight fixtures, gone five without success, and scored just four times in their most recent 10 matches.
Although Potter was left satisfied with how his team performed during the first half, the Englishman admitted that Chelsea never recovered from Skipp's goal early in the second period.
© Reuters
Speaking to reporters, as quoted by football.london, Potter said: "We're disappointed with the result. I thought we started the game well and for 20, 25 minutes were playing well. Good regains high up, drove them back, had some shots. There was a good energy in the team.
"The second half was relatively even but it started as badly as you can start. Once your a goal down, in a tight game, it's difficult. We huffed and puffed in the second half but we didn't do enough to score."
Having made six changes for the Southampton defeat which preceded Sunday's match, Potter replicated that level of tinkering at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, but he again attempted to justify the rotation to the Blues ranks.
Potter added: "When you've got three games in a week, it was difficult to pick the same XI. There was one change from the Dortmund game, that was Raheem [Sterling] in for [Mykhaylo] Mudryk.
"I've tried to explain many times about long-term injuries and the players are not able to play three games in a week. I have a duty of care to the players. If Reece James injures himself because of an overload, then that's on me."
Chelsea are next in action when they play host to Leeds United on March 4, three days before they square off in the second leg of their Champions League last-16 tie with Borussia Dortmund.
Darren Plant
