As featured on NewsNow: Football news

Ancelotti refuses to blame Cole and Anelka for missing penalties

Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti is not holding Ashley Cole or Nicolas Anelka responsible after the Blues crashed out of the FA Cup against Everton. Anelka saw his penalty saved by Tim Howard while Cole blazed over as the defending champions lost 4-3 on spot-kicks after the game ended all square following extra-time.

"We tried penalties in training," said the Chelsea boss, "and Lampard, Drogba, Anelka, Essien and Ashley Cole were the best.

"Nicolas Anelka tried a lot of times to shoot and scored. Obviously penalties are a lottery, sometimes you win and sometimes you lose."

But the Italian insists his players must bounce back.

He said: "We're not in an easy moment.

"We have to play some very important games, but sometimes it is good to play tough games as you have more focus.

"We're not afraid to play against Copenhagen. We will try everything to recover."

 Click here for the No1 coverage of all the gossip and transfer news around Chelsea.

Video of the day:

About the author

Dave Williams

×

Subscribe and go ad-free

For only $10 a year

  1. Go Ad-Free
  2. Faster site experience
  3. Support great writing
  4. Subscribe now
Launch Offer: 2 months free
×

Subscribe and go ad-free

For only $10 a year

Subscribe now
Launch Offer: 2 months free