Chelsea and Brazil centre-back Thiago Silva’s wife Belle Silva posted a message on Twitter during Chelsea’s 1-0 defeat to Manchester City, captioning it: “Don’t come to Stamford Bridge if you don’t sing. Come on Chelsea.”
This was in response to the majority of the home fans booing their team’s performance against second-placed City. Belle could then be seen singing herself while a few others joined in.
City narrowed the gap to Premier League leaders Arsenal to five points by beating Chelsea 1-0 on Thursday after a double substitution by Pep Guardiola paid off immediately at Stamford Bridge.
Don’t come to Stamford Bridge if you don’t sing COME ON CHELSEA!!! #blueisdecolor @Chelsea FC @tsilva3 pic.twitter.com/Cl9JxdM0vX
— Belle Silva (@bellesilva) January 5, 2023
Riyad Mahrez and Jack Grealish came on in the 60th minute and jointly scored the only goal three minutes later, with Mahrez tapping in from close range from a perfectly weighted cross from his fellow winger.
City only came to life in the second half after a curiously passive pre-half-time appearance, perhaps caused by a confused team selection by Guardiola, which saw a number of players deployed in unusual roles.
“If you take everything into account, losing Raheem and Christian so early, the boys gave it their all,” said Chelsea manager Graham Potter. “It was a tough performance against a top team, so regardless of the result I am proud of the players.
“It’s tough right now, I must admit, and I feel for the guys. We must stick together. It was disappointing to lose those guys, but the players on the field and those who came in gave their all and that’s all you can ask for.”
The two teams will meet again on Sunday for a tie in the third round of the FA Cup.