John Mikel Obi considered the result at Anfield last night a positive one but also acknowledged there remains plenty of work to do back at the Bridge next week.
The midfielder returned to the starting XI for the first time since our last cup outing, against Watford earlier this month, playing alongside Nemanja Matic in the middle of midfield. The man whose history with the Blues dates back long enough to recall past knockout ties between Liverpool and Chelsea offered his verdict on this year’s Capital One Cup semi-final first leg.
‘We were a bit disappointed to concede the goal but I think overall it’s a good result,’ was his assessment of the 1-1 draw.
‘We have the second game back home and we need to make sure we finish it there.
‘We knew they were going to come at us. We tried to absorb the pressure for about 15 or 20 minutes after half-time. Their goal brought them back into the game but after that we started playing well again.
‘We have to go back home, analyse the game and win next week. We think we have the advantage. We didn’t lose, we scored and the away goal could be important. We’re in a good place.’
As Mikel points out, Eden Hazard's goal might be decisive if extra-time is required at Stamford Bridge next Tuesday. If it was 0-0 after the end of the extra 30 minutes we would progress on away goals.
Another man who was back in the team yesterday was Thibaut Courtois. Mikel had words of praise for the goalkeeper’s contribution at Anfield, where his agility, speed and reflexes - particularly in the second half – were on show.
‘We’ve got Petr Cech who has come in for Thibaut since he’s been injured and done really well,’ notedMikel.
‘Thibaut showed what a world-class goalkeeper he is. He’s been doing that all season, save after save. It’s good to have him back and the team as well all did a job.’
Credit to chelseafc.com
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