John Terry insists he should never have been given the booking that rules him out of Chelsea's Champions League quarter-final second leg against Liverpool.
John Terry insists he should never have been given the booking that rules him out of Chelsea's Champions League quarter-final second leg against Liverpool.
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Terry was booked in the second-half of yesterday's 3-1 win at Anfield for a challenge on Liverpool goalkeeper Pepe Reina and will be suspended for the return leg at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday.
But the Chelsea and England captain claimed that even Reina did not think his challenge warranted a yellow card from Danish referee Claus Bo Larsen.
"I felt as though I went for the ball, that's all I ever do as a player," Terry said. "I've spoke to Reina again and he said it wasn't a yellow card. He already knew I was on a yellow card and he was honest with me.
"It reminds me of when Liverpool's Xabi Alonso was booked in a similar situation with Eidur Gudjohnsen (in the semi-finals) a couple of years ago. He was crying after that game. I'm obviously very disappointed."
Terry's teammate Frank Lampard believes the Blues can use their stunning victory at Anfield as a springboard for success in the Premier League and FA Cup as well as Europe.
Guus Hiddink's side are four points behind leaders Manchester United and have played a game more, but Lampard, whose side face Arsenal in the FA Cup semi-finals, is confident they can make up that ground.
"This result sets the tone really. Who knows what can happen in the league and the FA Cup?" Lampard said.
"Everything is still up for grabs, even though we are behind in the league. It is important that we keep to the standard we played against Liverpool. When we look at the strength of our team throughout the pitch, we are as good as anybody.
"There have been times this season when we have not performed at our best - and we have to take responsibility for that as individuals and as a team. But it is done and in the past.
"We hope if we can carry on playing like that we will put fear into a lot of teams. But we must keep to those high standards. "We are points behind in the league - so we know the situation, and all we can do is worry about ourselves and keep winning games.
"We need to set the standard we have shown against Liverpool. It gives us confidence. But we cannot relax, and there is everything to play for. We have to try and keep on top form in every game."
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