Jonathan Douglas said Brentford’s players were delighted with their performance in a 2-2 FA Cup with Budweiser draw against Chelsea.
The Bees took the lead twice in the Fourth Round tie at Griffin Park thanks to goals from Marcello Trotta and Harry Forrester.
But Chelsea fought back – Oscar equalised Brentford’s opener and Fernando Torres came up with a superb equaliser with six minutes left.
Jonathan admitted there was a bit of disappointment not to win as Brentford were ahead late on but they would have taken a draw if offered it at kick-off.
“I would probably have taken 2-2 at the start of the day,” said the Brentford midfield player, who was named Man of the Match by the sponsors.
“It was a good game.
“They had a lot of possession, we knew they would.
“We worked a lot during the week on letting them have the ball and then closing them down when they got closer to the goal.
“It worked today and, in the end, we are probably a bit disappointed we couldn’t hold on.
“There is always a disappointment when you don’t win.
“But they are a quality side and someone had offered 2-2 and a game at Stamford Bridge before kick-off we’d have taken it.
“We are all delighted, we played well, we brought our league form in to the game.”
Jonathan said Brentford player well in the first half and needed the goal just before the break.
“The first ten or 15 minutes we were eyeing them up,” he said.
“We decided to have a good go.
“Our play in the first half was good.
“We went in 1-0 up through a great finish from Marcello Trotta.
“Whenever you are on top of a game it’s important to score.
“We did that, we were delighted and everyone in the dressing room is really happy.”
Chelsea’s goals came almost out of nothing and Jonathan said that showed the quality the Premier League side had in their ranks.
“The beauty of playing in the Premier League is they only need one chance and they will score,” he said, speaking to Bees Player after the match.
“They got two goals from two half chances, they weren’t even clear cut.
“They took them well.
“We are disappointed we couldn’t hold on but we will look back and be delighted with our performance.
“The European Champions came here and we took it to them.”
There was a tale of two penalties in the second half.
Brentford were awarded one when Tom Adeyemi was brought down by Chelsea goalkeeper Ross Turnbull when he went through.
The Chelsea custodian was not sent off by referee Jonathan Moss when he could have been but Harry Forrester punished him by scoring from the spot.
In the dying seconds of the game a Juan Mata cross his the arm of Harlee Dean but Mr Moss waved away the penalty appeals.
Jonathan said it could have been given.
“On another day there could have been a penalty against us,” he said.
“It hit the hand but it would have been harsh, and heart-breaking for us.
“I think a yellow card was right for our penalty, there were defenders there.
“It was a great pass and a great run.
“I didn’t watch it, I never do, especially with us, but I was delighted for Harry, he was a real threat.
“Overall we are delighted and looking forward to the next one.
“I haven’t played at Stamford Bridge, not many of us have.
“It will be a great occasion for the Club, great for the fans and everyone can go there and hopefully we can pull off a performance like we did today.
“Anything is possible.”
On Friday Jonathan signed a two-year extension to his contract.
The new deal will keep him at Griffin Park until the summer of 2015 and the midfielder said The Bees have a great opportunity to achieve something this season.
They currently sit third in npower League One, just six points off the top.
“There was no reason for me to leave,” said Jonathan.
“I am really enjoying my football, I am enjoying living down here.
“I am playing with a great bunch of lads under a good manager.
“I felt that everything was in place for the Club going forward and I want to be part of that.
“We have a great opportunity to do something this year.
“There is a long way to go.
“We don’t want to waste the last six months by not finishing the job off.”
Bees Player subscribers can see a full video interview with Jonathan Douglas here.