Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Evening Standard
Evening Standard
Sport
Tashan Deniran-Alleyne

'Something we need to cut out': Reece James makes Chelsea demand after Champions League draw with Qarabag

Chelsea captain Reece James has called for improvements across the board after a 2-2 draw against Qarabag - (Getty Images)

Reece James has bemoaned Chelsea's defending in their 2-2 Champions League draw with Qarabag.

Alejandro Garnacho climbed off the bench to rescue a point for the Blues on Wednesday after they had trailed at the break following quick-fire goals from the hosts.

Leandro Andrade cancelled out Estevao Willian’s opener just before the hour mark and ten minutes later Marko Jankovic successfully converted from the spot after Jorrel Hato had given away a penalty for handball.

The result meant Qarabag earned their first point against an English team, but James was left frustrated with the outcome, saying self-inflicted mistakes allowed the home side back into the game.

Speaking to TNT Sports, the Chelsea captain said: "Disappointing to sum up. Coming here we wanted to win. We felt that we set up strong but we made two errors that led to a penalty and a goal that we gifted them, and then to get back into the game is difficult.

“Their fans were quite good tonight, the pitch was difficult to play but this is something we expected and didn't quite adapt to.

"Two mistakes led to two goals and it's difficult when the momentum in the game changes and we simply didn't do enough. We had a few chances we didn't take and we only have ourselves to blame."

“If you look at the goals that we have conceded [this season], they haven't been from amazing play, more our mistakes, and that is something we need to cut out."

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.