Making a debut against Chelsea was never going to be an easy home start. Still, I was hoping for a better result!

Once Chelsea got ahead in the score we had to find a way to get back in the game. Especially in the second half, we got forward trying to score and as a result we gave them space. They took advantage of that and scored two goals in the last few minutes. As such, I do not think the result really reflected the whole game. I was very unlucky when the ball was deflected on me after Hasselbaink’s free-kick and ended up at the back of our net. These things do happen in football and you have to live with them.

During the game I picked up a minor injury. I had a word with the manager and he said he was not going to start me against Manchester City. I agreed with him. There is no reason to risk making things serious. Playing a third game in a week will stress my injury and may keep me out longer than needed. I believe my next game will be against Middlesbro.

Nikos Dabizas