Chelsea Boss Graham Potter Provides Crucial Injury Updates After 1-0 Loss To Manchester City

Chelsea boss Graham Potter has provided an injury update on Christian Pulisic and Raheem Sterling after their loss to Manchester City.

Both Sterling and Pulisic suffered injuries in the first half of the game at Stamford Bridge as Chelsea ended up losing 1-0 to defending champions City in a Premier League match Thursday.

Just five minutes after the kick-off, Sterling went down following a collision with Manchester City defender John Stones. Sterling, who was seen holding his hamstring, was immediately replaced by Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.

Center-back Stones struck once again in the 22nd minute as an intense tackle from him forced Chelsea's Pulisic off the field. The American midfielder was replaced by 19-year-old Carney Chukwuemeka.

Chelsea head coach Potter said that while it was "too soon to update" on Sterling's injury, he was hoping Pulisic's injury was "not too bad."

"It was disappointing to lose the guys early on but the players that came onto the pitch gave everything and that's all you can ask for. It's too soon for an update. Raheem was with his first action of the game with a back-heel and Christian had some contact on his knee so fingers crossed it's not too bad," said Potter in a post-match interview.

Sterling and Pulisic have now joined Chelsea's growing list of injuries. N'Golo Kante (thigh), Reece James (knee), Edouard Mendy (shoulder), Wesley Fofana (knee), Armando Broja (knee) Ruben Loftus-Cheek (ankle), Ben Chilwell (hamstring) and Mason Mount (knock) are all also out of action in what is an injury nightmare for the Stamford Bridge side.

The Chelsea head coach praised his side for their "spirited performance against a top team," saying he was "proud of his players."

"When you consider everything losing Raheem [Sterling] and Christian [Pulisic] so early, the lads gave everything. It was a spirited performance against a top team, so apart from the result I'm proud of the players. It's tough at the moment I must admit and I feel for the boys," said Potter.

The former Brighton boss went on to add that Chelsea "have to stick together. It was disappointing to lose those guys but the players on the pitch and the ones that came in gave everything and that's all you can ask for."

Manchester City did struggle in the first half before Pep Guardiola's two substitutes combined to score the lone goal and secure three crucial points for the Premier League holders. Riyad Mahrez collected a low cross from Jack Grealish and put it at the back of the net in the 63rd minute.

With their 1-0 victory over Chelsea, Manchester City closed the gap on Premier League leaders Arsenal to five points. City and Chelsea are set to come face to face once again Sunday at Etihad Stadium in their FA Cup third round.