Uwe Rosler invoked the Hand of God to explain Brentford's stunning performance against Chelsea after watching them go within seven minutes of one of the great FA Cup shocks at Griffin Park.
In what has been a season of amazing upsets in cup competitions, Rosler's Bees almost topped them all after pushing the holders to the brink of a humiliating defeat. The npower League One high-fliers twice led but were denied by Fernando Torres' late equaliser in the 2-2 draw, setting up a replay at Stamford Bridge next month.
Chelsea might have even snatched a stoppage-time winner had Harlee Dean been penalised for handling Juan Mata's cross in the area, but Rosler said: "We deserved that luck from what we have put in compared to what Chelsea put in over the 90 minutes. There is a football god up there and he is on our side."
Brentford tore into Chelsea from almost the first whistle, disrupting the possession game interim manager Rafael Benitez admitted on Friday was their only way of playing and exploiting a tailwind to launch lightning breakaways.
A delighted Rosler insisted his side deserved to be further ahead at the break before it was their turn to play into a headwind.
He added: "They had a lot of play but didn't create clear-cut chances. We defended very well and worked very well against the ball. And to be five minutes before the end and leading 2-1, I'm slightly disappointed that we didn't win the game.
"But, overall, my players did fantastically. They earned the right to play at Stamford Bridge. It will be a great day for our supporters again, for our players and, financially, it will help enormously."
Torres' equaliser might have rescued Chelsea and Benitez but it also added to the biggest fixture pile-up in the club's history. The holders are unable to host the replay until fifth-round weekend.
"Yes, it's quite difficult for us," Benitez said. "We play one game every three days so, if you understand, how can you train the day after? How can you train the day before games when you have the same players all the time?"
Benitez appeared more downbeat than at any stage since taking charge, amid reports the club were reluctant to back him in the transfer window. The Spaniard nevertheless branded Chelsea's first-half display as unacceptable, adding: "We made too many mistakes in the way we wanted to play."
Source: PA
