Bridge: 'I thought our chance had gone'
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Your support makes all the difference.Chelsea's unlikely Champions' League hero Wayne Bridge admitted he did not expect to be the man who made the difference in their second leg victory over Arsenal.
Chelsea's unlikely Champions' League hero Wayne Bridge admitted he did not expect to be the man who made the difference in their second leg victory over Arsenal.
With just five minutes to go before extra-time, Ashley Cole cleared Eidur Gudjohnsen's shot off the line and Bridge said he thought that was Chelsea's chance gone.
"When it was cleared off the line I thought it was not going to be our day but the lads battled hard and matched them for effort and I popped up with a goal," Bridge said. "It was a great ball from Eidur. When it came I just side-footed it into the corner."
Bridge also led the backing for manager Claudio Ranieri and insisted: "If it is possible, let him stay. I am sure the boss is pleased tonight. All the lads get on well with him and if it is possible, let him stay.
"He seems to deal with the pressure and he tells us to keep it clear out of our minds. I feel sorry for him in a way, I think most people do. You never know what to believe, we'll just have to wait and see what happens."
Bridge said Chelsea had a feeling they would finally break their Arsenal jinx. He added: "We felt it all week - even at 1-0 down we felt we could do it.
"The last thing I expected was to be called a goal hero, though, but we got through that was the main thing."
Frank Lampard dedicated the victory to the Chelsea supporters. He said: "The fans have suffered against Arsenal for 19 games but the losses were all worth it in the end."
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