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Chelsea have 'ref' on their side again
Andy Carroll 'upset' with draw (March 20th 2016)
West Ham striker Andy Carroll rued an "upsetting" draw at Chelsea before vowing to continue the pursuit of European football after the international break. Cesc Fabregas converted an 89th-minute spot-kick to earn a 2-2 draw after referee Bobby Madley adjudged Ruben Loftus-Cheek had been tripped by Michail Antonio. Replays suggested if there was contact it was minimal and outside the area. Carroll had thought he had scored a second winner against Chelsea this season to enhance the Hammers' bid for Champions League qualification, but Fabregas scored his second after a brilliant free-kick had earlier cancelled out Manuel Lanzini's superb opener. "All the lads 100 per cent want us to get into Europe," Carroll said on whufc.com. "That is what we are pushing for. It would have been nice for us to come away with a victory and push us even higher up the table but we will have a nice break and come back and work harder from there. "It was a bit upsetting to only get a point. We conceded just before half-time and then just before the end which is upsetting. But we worked really hard and we did deserve the win. "I have had a look back at the penalty incident and it looked just outside of the area so it was unlucky that they were given a penalty. "I said last week there are not many teams who come away from the big grounds disappointed to have only got a draw. "Last week we had that feeling against Manchester United (in the FA Cup quarter-final) and it is the same against Chelsea that we have not got the three points." Carroll ended a nine-game scoreless streak by netting a minute after coming off the substitutes' bench following a fine pass by Dimitri Payet. The 27-year-old added: "It was a great ball in from Dimitri and the keeper came rushing out and left a gap down the side of him and I just had to put it in there so it was a nice start. "It feels good to be back among the goals. Obviously I was not starting but it still feels good to come off the bench and score. "It was an incredible strike from Manuel and he has got that ability. It is no surprise to us that he put it in like that." Loftus-Cheek had also come on as a replacement and was pleased to make an impact as he tries to force his way into the starting XI. The England Under-21 midfielder, who came on in the central playmaker role, told Chelsea TV: "Coming on to a game where we're losing, playing further up the pitch is ideal so I can try to impact the game, create a goal or score a goal. "We did well to fight, stick at it, dig in and get the draw. We were unlucky not to get the win." Loftus-Cheek has played in defensive midfield in age-group football, but is happy to play further forward. "In time I'll find my best suited position, so I'm not worried about that," he added. It was the eighth draw in an unbeaten streak of 13 Premier League games under interim boss Guus Hiddink. He said on Chelsea TV: "We are unbeaten in the league, although I would've loved to have had more victories - then we'd have the chance to go to the Champions League. "I want the team to finish as high as possible. (But) first of all the team must play with pride until the end of the season. We are obliged to do that for ourselves and the club."
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Sell crazy someplace else, we're all stocked up here. |
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