Wenger hope after Blues defeat
Arsene Wenger feels “a little bit of belief has gone” from Chelsea in the wake of their exit from the Carling Cup.
The Blues surrendered their 100% start to the Barclays Premiership when Everton held them to a 1-1 draw with Everton at Goodison Park last weekend, and Jose Mourinho’s side were then beaten on penalties by Charlton at Stamford Bridge as the holders lost their claim on the Carling Cup.
Chelsea remain nine points clear of the chasing pack – led by the Addicks – in the league and 12 ahead of the Gunners going into the next set of fixtures.
Charlton manager Alan Curbishley hoped his side’s victory, albeit after extra-time and on the lottery of spot-kicks, would have given the rest of the top flight a “lift” as they look to claw back Chelsea’s advantage.
It was a sentiment echoed by Wenger. “First of all the whole Premiership needs that. Secondly there is something there,” he said.
“A little bit of belief has gone because they could not win, so there is a little hope there, yes.”
Wenger added: “At Everton, they were happy with a draw in the last 20 minutes and I think that helped Chelsea.
“I did not see any indication that this was how you had to play Chelsea.
“I feel, like every team, when they are performing a bit less well, when the players are a bit more tired, they are more vulnerable.”
Mourinho felt Chelsea “didn’t lose the game” as the clash with Charlton technically ended in a draw after 120 minutes.
But Wenger maintained: “When you are out a cup, you lose.
“You can say ‘we did not lose’ – but when you are out, you lose. The train goes on without you.”
