Grant: We played well

Pompey boss takes positives from Blues defeat

Last updated: 16th December 2009   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Grant: We played well

Grant: Pleased with Pompey

Related links

Teams

Also see

Portsmouth manager Avram Grant says he was happy with his side's performance despite their 2-1 defeat at Chelsea.

Grant was returning to Stamford Bridge for the first time since he was sacked by the Blues in 2008, but a Nicolas Anelka goal and a Frank Lampard penalty ensured it was not a happy visit.

Pompey did manage to get onto the scoresheet at Stamford Bridge, though, when Frederic Piquionne volleyed home after Jamie O'Hara's free-kick bounced off the Chelsea wall.

Pompey remain rooted to the foot of the Premier League but Grant believes there were a lot of positives to take from his side's display.

"We played well," said Grant. "We played against a team who are very strong at home.

"But they didn't create many chances and in the second half we had two big chances. But they scored a goal from no chance really. The result is disappointing but the performance was good.

"Of course it was a penalty. Marc is a very good young player but sometimes inexperience costs. He made a mistake but he is a very good player. It was a pity because I could not see how Chelsea would score."

Grant, who took Chelsea to their only Champions League final in 2008, also praised the reaction he got from the Blues fans.

"It was touching," he added. "It was a great year and the reception made my heart warm."