We Can Take A Lot From Our Display, Says Stolarczyk

- Jakub Stolarczyk spoke following Leicester City’s 4-2 defeat in the Emirates FA Cup
- Chelsea were the victors at Stamford Bridge following two late goals
- The ‘keeper saved a Raheem Sterling penalty in the first half
- City didn’t quite have enough to reach the semi-finals but it was a valiant effort, the ‘keeper reflected

Enzo Maresca’s side were beaten 4-2 by the Blues at Stamford Bridge on Sunday, initially coming from two down in the second half before Callum Doyle’s sending off. Late Chelsea pressure paid off, with their two stoppage-time goals seeing the hosts progress into the last-four.

“I think we're all proud of our performance,” the ‘keeper commented. “We are obviously a bit disappointed because we just felt like there was a chance for us, but we gave it a good go.

“In the cup games like that, the dynamic in the game changes quickly and unfortunately, we got a red card, and then we saw they're more on the front foot in the last few minutes.

“Who knows what would have happened if those goals didn't go in, you never know if it’s extra-time and an extra 30 minutes. But we're all proud as it is and now we need to focus on the league.”

In the starting XI throughout this FA Cup run and for the seventh-successive cup fixture, the 23-year-old made a penalty save to keep out Raheem Sterling in the first half and was a commanding presence between the sticks.

The Polish shot-stopper continued: “I was definitely trying my best, trying to help the team because I knew that they will need me today. We knew how dangerous Chelsea are, especially in counter attack.

“We were trying to avoid it much as we can, but with the top players that they've got up front you know they're always going to get their chances. I'm glad I could help the team. It was just a shame we didn't get there with the result we wanted, but I think we all should be proud of it.

“The games I've played this season are the ones that I always dreamed of as a kid. To play at Stamford Bridge, to save a penalty at Stamford Bridge, that's the stuff you dream of when you're a kid playing.

“But overall, I am proud of myself and what steps I've made since last season and playing in League 2 and then this season playing in big stadiums against big clubs, obviously getting to the quarter-final is a big thing for me personally and I think it is for the Club this season as well.”

It was Stephy Mavididi who, after Axel Disasi’s own goal, produced the moment of the match from a Leicester perspective and Stolarczyk had the perfect view of that goal to equalise.

“It was amazing,” he reflected. “We all know Stephy's qualities, and this is what we expect him to do. We know how good he is to score a goal like that this season already, so there was just loads of happiness around that time because we got a draw.

“And we knew that we could kick on in the game with maybe 30 minutes left, so we got the momentum at the time, but we know what happened at the end. We're happy for Stephy because he deserves it.”

Full focus now moves towards the Sky Bet Championship run-in and a final nine games in the race for promotion to the Premier League.

“We all know what the target is,” Stolarczyk added. “We all know what we want to go for, and we just need to get refreshed, get ready for the next three games coming up and get it over. That's our target, and that's what we're going for.”