Chelsea coach Di Matteo reacts after scoreless draw 0-0 at Queens Park Rangers:
It was not the win to show clearly the players had put the defeat in Monaco behind them but Roberto Di Matteo was still content with the performance level, if not the result from a difficult derby at Loftus Road.
The Chelsea manager, in common with his players at the time and the Chelsea fans watching from a packed away end, believed at least one penalty should have been awarded in our favour, Ryan Nelsen appearing to wrestle John Terry to the ground at a set-piece and Eden Hazard being tripped in the box, but it was chances not taken that the Italian highlighted first.
On the game overall
‘The only disappointment was we didn’t score the goal with the chances we created because all in all, the performance was very good,’ Di Matteo said.
‘Playing at Loftus Road is always difficult because of the history and the rivalry of the clubs. We controlled the game very well, we created a number of chances and it was just the goal that was missing. One goal would have probably been enough for us to win the game.
‘I am not concerned because we created chances. It is the first game we haven’t scored, we normally do, and we will continue to do so if we create chances.’
On the decisions not to give Chelsea a penalty in the first half
‘The one with JT and Nelsen looked a stonewall penalty to me. I have watched the replay. I know the ref doesn’t have the replay and I don’t know if he didn’t see it or saw it and didn’t think it was.
‘The one on Hazard he was in a good position for and there was some contact but maybe he didn’t think it was enough. It is a difficult job to be a referee. It is easy for us because we have the replays.’
On concentrating on the game given the high-profile build-up
‘Both sets of players have shown a great attitude. They focused on the football, showed how professional they are and they played the game in the right spirit. It was a good derby to watch.
‘Our players didn’t have a problem with their focus and were very concentrated. We didn’t concede much and with the penalties and the chances, on another day we could have scored.’
‘We handled it very well and we were very professional and I was very pleased with the way they played.’
Looking towards the Champions League match midweek
‘We need to assess the players tomorrow but it doesn’t look like we had any major issues, just a couple of knocks. We will now shift our energy to Wednesday’s game.’
Rangers manager Mark Hughes was just as happy with his team’s display as his former team-mate at Chelsea had been with his.
‘I thought we were excellent,’ said Hughes. ‘In terms of control of the game we were able to do that comfortably for long periods. Last time out here in the Premier League we didn’t do so well but there were a couple of clear-cut chances today and it was an improvement on what we did at Man City.
‘It was a game played in good spirit and it was very competitive. Chelsea had to perform today to stay in the game and I imagine they will be pleased with their point.’
