Mauricio Pochettino praised the confidence of Noni Madueke after the winger came off the bench to score a late penalty for Chelsea, edging them past Crystal Palace 2-1 at Stamford Bridge.
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The 21-year-old was introduced in the 71st minute and Pochettino revealed that, despite his late introduction, Madueke took over spot-kick duties from captain Conor Gallagher after winning the penalty to score his second Premier League goal for the club.
See: Madueke's late penalty edges Chelsea past Crystal Palace
“I said it was Conor, but I said to Conor if Noni was more confident, you can give him the penalty,” Pochettino told the club’s official website. “You have to be confident in that moment.
“I am so happy because a player who comes from the bench needs to show this character and this hunger. He showed he was ready to take the opportunity.
“He played free. He did what we needed in this moment. I liked it because he showed he was disappointed with me because he didn’t play too much.”
Madueke has struggled for playing time this season, making only eight appearances in the Premier League, but was pleased to take his opportunity.
“I had a great Christmas back home and then I come to my other home here," he told Amazon Prime.
"It was a stonewall penalty. I scored one earlier in the cup and I was confident with my technique.”
