Mark Hughes says Stoke 'gave it a good go' in 4-2 loss to Chelsea
Sunday 1 January 2017 10:26, UK
Mark Hughes says Stoke "gave it a good go" during their 4-2 loss to Chelsea on New Year's Eve but admitted his side made too many mistakes.
The Potters twice came from behind to draw level with the current Premier League leaders, but were outdone by a Blues side who collected their 13th consecutive league win to match the previous record set by Arsenal.
Although they were the first side since September to put two goals past Chelsea, Stoke have now conceded four goals in their last two games after a 4-1 defeat to Liverpool on Tuesday.
While Hughes was pleased that his side took the game to the Blues, he admitted that Stoke have been making too many errors.
"We gave it a good go," he told Sky Sports. "I thought we showed good character by coming back twice in the game.
"At 2-2, you think 'OK, we can stay in this game for the next 10 or 15 minutes and then see where that takes us', but unfortunately we conceded almost immediately and then it was difficult. We tried to force the issue, but we made too many mistakes unfortunately.
"In fairness, we've been to Anfield and here today, we've caused problems for very good opposition but at key moments and key periods in the game, the details of the game we haven't got right.
"At times, we have made catastrophic errors and decisions. Inevitably, against good teams and good players, they will punish you if you make those kind of errors.
"It's a shame because I don't think many teams have come here in recent weeks certainly and put two goals on the board so we take the positives, but clearly we've got an issue with understanding what we need to do defensively.
"At times, we were guilty of over playing in key areas of the field and if we can eradicate that out of play then a lot of our performances are good up to a point, but clearly at the moment, we're conceding too many goals."
With the second half of the season nearly here, Hughes believes his side need to tighten up at the back with upcoming fixtures key for getting back on track.
"We need to get a good defensive platform which prior to the last two or three games, we have had. We were knocking out clean sheets and we need to get back to that level. Sometimes the opposition dictates that.
"You go up a level when you play the likes of Chelsea and Liverpool so they will test you more than most but we've got games coming up that we feel will enable us to steady ourselves and allow our good play - and there has been good elements in a lot of the games we have been involved in - to come to the fore and enable us to win games."
