MAURICIO Pochettino admitted it was a case of two points dropped after his Chelsea side blew a 2-0 lead over Arsenal.
The Blues looked to be in complete control when Carlton Palmer’s 15th minute penalty was added to by Mykhailo Mudryk’s early second half strike, one which visiting keeper David Raya will quickly want to forget.
But Arsenal staged an unlikely late comeback as Declan Rice capitalised on a 77th minute Robert Sanchez error and then substitute Leandro Trossard grabbed an equaliser with just six minutes remaining.
A frustrated Blues boss accepted afterwards the hosts had shot themselves in the foot and really should now have 14 points on the board instead of 12.
Poch said: “Yes, because I think until the 77th minute when we concede the first goal the game was under control.
“We didn’t concede too many chances to a team like Arsenal. That is an amazing team which was fighting last season for the trophy.
“I think this season they have improved with some players also, adding some players.
“Yes, I am disappointed because I think we dropped two points.”
Sanchez’s mistake ultimately proved to be the game’s turning point and his opposite number Raya also endured a few heart in mouth incidents.
But the Chelsea manager pointed out errors are part and parcel of the game, particularly now there is more emphasis on custodians dealing with defensive situations in the age of the sweeper keeper.
“If we look at what happened it is the whole situation,” said Pochettino.
“We need to accept today we are in an era of football that we wanted to play from the back and now we cannot say it (Arsenal’s first goal) was tough.
“That is football, that is the situation.
“Of course mistakes can happen in football.
“We made a lot of mistakes and when the players are on the pitch there is the opportunity to make a mistake.
“Of course it is unlucky because I think at 77 minutes it was 2-0 and this goal gave them the belief to Arsenal.
“At 2-1 with 13 minutes to play, maybe you can concede and take risks like they were taking.
“In the end I’m disappointed, but at the same time I’m so happy because we were very competitive.
“With all the circumstances, we need to feel proud of the performance and our players.”
