Chelsea captain Cesar Azpilicueta understands Blues fans’ frustrations about the club’s poor form but he is called on supporters to get behind the team following the 2-1 win against Cardiff.

A section of fans in the away end on Sunday could be heard chanting for manager Maurizio Sarri to leave, but Azpilicueta has appealed for patience:

“We have to give the fans what they expect and the bad moments are when we all need to be together. We are not happy with the way we are playing and we have lost a lot of points, especially away from home.”

“We are all in the same boat and will push in the same direction. I know the fans want us to win, and when the results are not there, we are all responsible. They showed their thoughts but our job is to keep working hard.”

Chelsea’s form since the New Year has been pretty dreadful. Their win at the weekend was only their fifth in the league this calendar year, with the London club having also drawn two and lost four others.

They have slipped behind in the race for the top four in recent weeks, currently lying in sixth place with seven matches remaining.

The Blues face Brighton tomorrow evening, and the Stamford Bridge crowd will expect nothing less than a comfortable win against the Seagulls who are involved in a relegation scrap at the bottom of the table.