Blues boss Frank Lampard admitted that he “cannot explain” Chelsea’s 4-4 Champions League draw with Ajax after his side battled back from three goals down against their Dutch opponents.
Tammy Abraham and Kepa Arrizabalaga scored own goals, either side of Jorginho’s penalty and Quincy Promes finding the net for the visitors, as Chelsea conceded three first-half goals for the first time in the competition on Tuesday night.
Ajax earned a 4-1 lead 10 minutes into the second half as Donny Van De Beek gave the Dutch champions a three-goal lead and but Spanish Cesar Azpilicueta pulled one back for the hosts and Ajax were down to nine men when Daley Blind and Joel Veltman were both dismissed in quick succession.
Lampard’s Chelsea then capitalized on the two-man advantage as Jorginho converted from the penalty spot once against and Reece James netted 16 minutes from time to complete an amazing comeback, but at 4-4 Azpilicueta was denied a late winner by VAR as Abraham was adjudged to have handled the ball in the build-up which meant that a point was shared by either team.
Chelsea is now level at the top of Group H on seven points with Ajax and with two matches remaining but head coach Lampard was ultimately pleased with a draw in London amid the circumstances.
While speaking to reporters after the game the former England midfielder explained, “I can’t explain the game, for all the things we might analyze back, the madness of the game, we are here for entertainment I suppose and anyone who watched that has to say what a game of football. Respect to Ajax, what a spectacle. I don’t think I have been in a game like it. I said at half time it will be 3-3 or 4-4, we were so in the game. We looked dangerous and I felt we would build momentum. I am not happy overall – this is the Champions League and we made too many mistakes.”
