Every word from Fabian Hurzeler's post-Chelsea press conference

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Here's everything the head coach had to say after his team took apart the Blues.

Bruce Talbot

2026-04-21T22:55+01:00

Fabian Hurzeler gives instructions to his team during their superb 3-0 win against Chelsea. 📷James Boardman

You must be delighted with that performance and only disappointed that there weren't more goals..

"I like the question because it's focused on the performance, not on the result and I always try to focus on performances. Today, it was a very consistent performance from the start until the end. We played with our identity, we played very intense football, we pressed high, we controlled the game with good structure, we played simple football, we attacked the box well and we created a lot of chances. I'm very delighted and I'm very proud of the boys and how they stuck together and they showed real personality by sticking to our identity."

You’re team are on a terrific run of form. What has been behind this turnaround and momentum?

"The players have great character, they have a great work ethic, they hold each other accountable and they really have built a connection. What I mean by that is that I'm not doing any artificial event to bring them together, they organise it themselves.

“Second of all, we were able to manage the key moments better. I wouldn't say that we played better or worse football than when we had this bad run, but we are managing the key moments of the game quite well.

Carlos Baleba and Olivier Boscagli enjoy the win in the tunnel afterwards.

And third, I would say it's the connection with the fans. We can really build a relationship with them. [There was] another electric atmosphere tonight and it's created by them. We know we have to go all-in for them on the pitch; we need to play intense football, football full of energy, football where we want to build something and then this energy transforms or transports to the crowd. That's what we tried to do in the recent games and they replied in an incredible way. I'm very grateful for them and also happy for them that we can keep building this connection."

Do you think that was the most complete performance you've produced this season?

"It was definitely one of the best. We weren't good only in the possession, but also out of possession we defended quite well. In the second half there were some tight moments, there were some good patterns from Chelsea as well but overall we were very alive. We did small blocks well, we defended set pieces well - the small things we were really good at today. It was one of the most complete performances of the season and that sets the benchmark quite high. That's where I also will judge the players: keep doing the small things right, keep doing the small margins right because you have to do these things well if you want to win a Premier League game."

How proud are you to see the team sixth place?

"I'm really not focusing on the table. I'm proud of the performance; I'm proud of how they stick together three days after a tough game in Tottenham, they went again on the pitch and played intense football. They always want to improve and I could really feel an energy today on the pitch that they give everything for each other. They ran for each other, sprinted for each other, they fought for each other and that's what makes me proud because I can really identify with this. Now we have to keep focusing on performances, keep trying to improve and then we see what happens."

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Ferdi Kadioglu gave Albion the perfect start, followed by second half goals from Jack Hinshelwood and Danny Welbeck, as Albion ran out 3-0 victors in front of a jubliant home support.

Ferdi Kadioglu’s goal means you have 18 different goalscorers in the Premier League this season - the highest in the league. What is that down to and can you give us a word on his performance?

"It's not fair to pick one out of a great team performance, but I try to answer your question. So regarding Ferdi, what we want we had with Mats Wieffer two games ago where he played against Burnley and he scored two goals - we want to have players who have the freedom to attack, who create a dynamic from behind by making deep runs by getting into the opponent's box.

"Today, the goal from Ferdi was more after a set-piece, but what we always know is that he has a good finish, he has a quite good shot - he showed it in the second half where the goalkeeper from Chelsea had two big saves. That makes us a very unpredictable team because you have so many goalscorers, and that is quite important - to have this flexibility where everyone has this desire to score and attack the opponent's box. That's very crucial for our game.

Carlos Baleba has had to be patient lately. Why was today the right day to put him in?

“We have a lot of players in this position; it's a lot of competition, and I think Yasin [Ayari] played a good game against Tottenham in this position and therefore Carlos had to be patient.

"But what I see in Carlos is a player who has something we don't have in our squad: the physicality, a lot of dominance. If he's playing on his highest level like he played today then he's a key player for us. I was also reminded today of the Carlos from last season: physicality, very present, simple football, staying alive all the time. I'm really happy to see him like this because we always see the player Carlos, but we never see the person behind Carlos. He's still a very young player going through lows and highs. We try to give him the environment where he can feel secure, an environment where we are always there to push and support him."

There was a song for you from the North Stand during the game. Were you aware of that?

"I didn't hear it but I'm very pleased that the fans do this for me because we went through a low together, they criticised me in the right way and I was always open for that. I think that really builds our connection now.

"Of course, it always helps when you win games, but I feel that we keep building our relationship. I feel that we can create a real atmosphere here. I hear them singing all the time; it's not such a nice atmosphere for an opponent. It's an atmosphere that's created by our fans by singing, by cheering for us and that makes this atmosphere so electric. It's really what I want to create with them, and I know, first of all, it's about our performance. We have to bring this energy and intensity on the pitch to get them cheering and supportive to us. That's what we always try to do, but I am very grateful and pleased for the support from the fans. Hopefully we made them proud today and we keep going, we keep fighting for them in the final part of the season."

Is Mats Wieffer okay?

"He's okay. He has just a small issue with his ankle, but we have now a few days to recover and I'm sure he will be okay."