https://www.chelseafc.com/en/news/article/
james-frustrated-but-confident-after-derby-draw
James frustrated but confident after derby draw
15 Aug 22
Reece James was left disappointed not to have taken all three points in
Sunday's London derby against Tottenham Hotspur, but believes on another
day we would have won the match and can be pleased with our performance
over the 90 minutes.
https://i.imgur.com/HnYGzjQ.jpg
It was certainly a frustrating end to the game at Stamford Bridge, as we
had looked like the better side throughout and taken the lead twice, James
getting our second goal himself, but were twice pegged back by
controversial equalisers.
However, adding up our apparent superiority on the pitch, the fact we
twice took the lead and both Tottenham goals appeared to have fouls which
were ignored during the build-up only increases the feeling of frustration
at having the win snatched away with almost the last kick of the game, as
Spurs' second equaliser arrived in the sixth minute of additional time.
'It was very disappointing, not the game but the result,' he explained. 'I
feel like we played well and we should have won the game. It's very good
that we played so well but it's also frustrating when you play so well and
should win but you don't.
https://i.imgur.com/dW63dFI.png
'They didn't have a chance in the first half. We were all over them
throughout the game but it was two unfortunate goals that shouldn't have
been goals.
'It's always disappointing to lose two points, especially when you feel
you should walk away with all three and you're in the lead twice at home.
I thought we played a very good game and we should have walked away with
all three points.'
James also expanded on why he was unhappy to see both Tottenham goals
allowed to stand by the referee, with Kai Havertz being fouled and
Richarlison avoiding Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg's shot in an offside position
for the first, then Marc Cucurella seemed to be dragged to the floor by
his hair before the visitors scored their second from the resulting
corner.
'There were two arguable goals that shouldn't have been goals by them.
Personally I don't think either should stand but I'm not a referee. The
referee and the fourth official didn't disallow them and I think on
another day the decision is they are both not goals.
'Their first goal could have been disallowed for both reasons. Kai got
fouled in their half and they say he gets the ball and then there's an
offside on the goal. I don't know why the referee and VAR don't see it but
as I said I'm not a referee.
https://i.imgur.com/tvv5Fcj.jpg
Havertz is brought down by Cristian Romero's challenge
'For the second, the player gets pulled and I don't really know what they
were looking at. I think it should be a foul for us and it's obviously
frustrating for us when we deserve more and I think we should have won the
game, but we have to take the positives from the game and move forward.'
Thankfully there were still plenty of those positives for both James and
the team to take away from the 2-2 draw despite the frustrating finish.
Personally, he was pleased to get on the scoresheet in the second half
after holding his nerve one-on-one against goalkeeper Hugo Lloris, and the
wing-back was also happy to see all three of our home debutants involved
in the goals, with Raheem Sterling teeing up his strike and fellow summer
signings Cucurella and Kalidou Koulibaly combining for the latter's
stunning opener.
'I love scoring and I was in the right position,' he added. 'Actually I
saw him go down and I waited a bit, I wasn't sure what to do, but luckily
I scored. He went down very early, I think he tried to anticipate, and I
took my chance.
https://i.imgur.com/UIX2Pz6.jpg
Giving us the lead in the second half
'It's always great to see new players helping out the team. It's great to
see them all on the pitch and taking their chance and contributing and
wanting to win.'
Those positives and the strength of the team's overall performance ensure
Reece came out of the game being able to put his frustration at the result
to one side, as it reinforced his view that this is a Chelsea side capable
of lifting silverware in 2022/23.
'Without a doubt our aim is to win every competition, every match we go to
and I believe we have everything it takes to go all the way this season
and walk away with some trophies at the end.
'Our aim is to win, we're here to win and there's no reason why we can't
win with our group of lads and our squad. I think it's a special team and
one of the biggest clubs in the world. Every competition we're in we
believe we can win it and we're ready to show that this season.'