Monday Feb 25 2008 08:11
Chelsea manager Avram Grant has called on his players to bounce back from their Carling Cup heartbreak and concentrate on tasting success in the Premier League, Champions League and FA Cup.
The Blues looked set to retain the trophy they won 12 months ago by beating Arsenal in Cardiff when Didier Drogba fired them ahead against Tottenham, but Juande Ramos' side hit back to win 2-1 after extra time thanks to a Dimitar Berbatov penalty and Jonathan Woodgate's winner.
"It was very painful," admitted Grant. "It is not a good feeling.
"The players are disappointed because we have come a long way to get to the final and we are proud to get here.
"But we still have the Premier League, Champions League and FA Cup so we must now focus on them.
"We led 1-0 and then, until the second half, there were no chances for either side. We had dominated more in the game and then came the decision about the penalty.
"He touched the ball with his hand but I do not think it was deliberate. I don't think it was the referee's decision as he played on but it was the assistant.
"The penalty put them back in the game and that turned the match. The second goal was from a set-piece so we are disappointed.
"It was always going to be close because cup finals are like this and it was not a great performance from both teams.
"We tried to score a goal and keep it tight but we lost."
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