Having made a telling contribution in the build-up to Cole Palmer’s goal against Crystal Palace, Jadon Sancho explained why he was left disappointed it was not enough to secure us victory in south London.
Sancho set up Palmer’s opener with a moment of genius in the first half, but after we passed up several opportunities to extend our advantage before and after the break, Palace levelled late on through Jean-Phillipe Mateta.
‘It’s frustrating not to get the three points,’ assessed Sancho afterwards.
‘We played quite well and I feel like we controlled most of the game. One mistake cost us a goal.
‘Other than that, we have to be more clinical in front of goal. We created so many chances and it’s frustrating not to get another goal to kill the game.
‘We work on the training ground to give Nico [Jackson], Cole, Pedro [Neto] and me the opportunities to get shots on goal. We created good chances, we just have to be more clinical. If you don’t take your chances in the Premier League, it’s never over until the last minute.
‘We’re still playing the same football, and we’re still giving 100 per cent. It’s football, we have to learn from it and move on.’
Sancho was a constant threat down our left, and it was a moment of magic from him that opened the Eagles up and allowed Palmer to net. It all started with a dummy from Marc Cucurella’s pass that dumbfounded Palace’s Chris Richards.
‘I know he likes to be very tight when you try to receive the ball, so I felt if I came close and left it, there would be space in behind,’ explained Sancho.
‘They go man for man, so we tried to stay as wide as possible and get in one-v-one positions. That was how we got our first goal.
‘Drawing two players over to me, I knew Cole would be in the middle and I found him. Then Cole does what he does. He does it week in, week out. To play alongside him is really good. Hopefully we can get more connections on the pitch and more goals and assists.’
Sancho arrived at Chelsea on loan from Manchester United on the final day of the summer transfer window. Since then, he has scored twice and registered six assists in 15 appearances, establishing himself as an important member of Enzo Maresca’s side. It is clear how settled he already is at Stamford Bridge.
‘I’ve felt really good since day one, the coach and the players have welcomed me and that’s all I can ask for,’ Sancho said.
‘I’m taking it day by day and game by game. I’m very happy with my football. I just have to keep showing 100 per cent on the pitch.’