Chelsea lost 3-2 to West Ham in the London derby in midweek. This defeat comes after back to back wins for the Blues after the season restarted. Blues scored the first goal against Davis Moyes’s side on the night. Willian scored the penalty after Christian Pulisic got fouled in the opposition box. West Ham equalized just before the half-time. Hammers went ahead after Michael Antonio scored a tap in before Willian scored an outrageous free-kick to equalize. Marcos Alonso and Antonio Rudiger’s awful defending saw Hamppers substitute Yarmolenko scoring the winner right at the death.
What Kepa said, after their first domestic defeat in eight games?
“It was a disappointment. Definitely a lost opportunity for us because we knew it was a real chance to go third in the table. It was a game where we had control of the ball and a lot of possession but at certain moments we did not manage the situations correctly and did not do the right things in those moments.”
“From the team point of view, we have had some good moments as a group but also some moments where things have not gone quite as well as we would have hoped and that is probably why we are sitting in fourth place.”
Kepa explains that there are still targets to fulfil this season for Chelsea. After a very average campaign in the Premier League and of course in the Champions League where the Blues are almost out of the tournament if they can’t recover from a three goals deficit in the round of 16-second leg against Bayern Munich, the primary target remains to finish in the top four. Along with it, there is FA Cup, where Chelsea has the only realistic option to win silverware this season.
What Kepa went on to say about his Chelsea team?
“The main thing is there are still quite a few games to go and some important games amongst those where we have a chance to play for what our objectives were at the start of the season – Champions League qualification and of course we have the FA Cup still to come.”
“We know we need to improve but it is a hope we all have. There is a confidence that it is possible.”
Chelsea will face Norwich in the Premier League in mid-week at Stamford Bridge, a game they need to win. If they want to qualify for next season’s Champions League, Lampard’s side can’t afford any more slip-ups. Manchester United and Leicester are just one point behind them in the table.
“It is an important game. We are at home, playing against a team who have very important objectives of their own at the other end of the table, a team who are fighting just as hard as we will be to fulfil our aims and objectives.”
“We feel strong mentally and very fit physically. There is a good spirit about how we have been playing and now we hope for an end of the season that is positive and can be celebrated.”
