What Behdad Eghbali did to Conor Gallagher after 90 minutes and why Pochettino had to leave the pitch early

Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino admitted after the 2-1 win over Bournemouth that he would be staying in London for a couple more days before heading off to have what will be a deserved break. In a remarkable turn of events, he won seven of the last 10 games to secure European football for the club. 

The target at the start of the season was for the team to secure Champions League football but there have been mitigating circumstances with over 50 injuries suffered across the squad throughout the campaign. 

One of the tangible progress the team has seen is the improved atmosphere at Stamford Bridge, at the beginning of the season, some fans were booing players, but in the last few months, wins have meant it's been an incredible turnaround and players are looking bright and playing with smiles on their faces.

The win against Bournemouth was the fifth on the spin and the last one of the season with players allowed to bring in family after 90 minutes to say farewell.

So on another positive day for the club, here are a few things we observed during and after the game: 

A hug and a long chat between Conor Gallagher and Behdad Eghbali

Conor Gallagher has produced his best performance in a Chelsea shirt, he’s run further, tackled harder and intercepted more than any Chelsea player this campaign. Cole Palmer was rightly Chelsea's Player of the Season, there is no doubt that Gallagher has been a key contributor. 

After the players went round to applaud the fans, Chelsea co-owner Behdad Eghbali gave him a big hug and pulled him aside for a long chat. It is not clear what was said between them but most Chelsea fans will hope he's done enough to earn an improved contract and avoid being sold.

Pochettino and his staff didn't stay for a proper goodbye

It was quite noticeable that Pochettino was absent as Thiago Silva led players and their families around to say a proper thank you but his absence was because the Chelsea press officer had to drag him in to do his media duties. He had radio, TVand written media duties and the timing of everything just meant he had to go straight back to work. He did stay for Thiago Silva's speech. 

Pochettino warm embrace to Isabelle Silva

What a difference a few months make, after the defeat to Wolves in February, Thiago Silva’s wife sent out a Tweet on X, formerly Twitter, it read: "It's time to change. If you wait any longer it will be too late.” Most people read it as if it was a message calling on the owners to replace Mauricio Pochettino. 

But the Chelsea boss showed incredile compassion to Silva's wife after the Bournemouth game which was the last for the 39-year-old Brazilian, hugging her for a long time and speaking into her ear before letting go and leaving the pitch for his media duties. The details of what was said between them remain unclear but the emotions were that of two people genuinely wishing each other the best. 

Moises Caicedo finally gets the love he deserves 

One of the players who has struggled this season was Caicedo, but he’s come alive in the final stretch of the season and scored a brilliant 50-yard strike to help to the 2-1 win. The stunning strike from halfway through the pitch was so beautiful it led to Chelsea fans urging him to shoot every time he was on the ball. 

It was a brilliant 45 minutes for the Ecuadorian hard-working midfielder and the only time this season that he’s been genuinely backed with every touch he took by the home fans. If that is how he’s going to perform next season, then the fans will be in for a good ride.