AFC Bournemouth were much better in the draw with the Blues, after a very poor performance against the Bees at the weekend.
The first half at the Gtech Community Stadium was described by Iraola as ‘probably the worst first half performance’ of his tenure at the club.
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But he was impressed with his side as they started with intensity at Stamford Bridge and led Chelsea, before falling behind and coming back to level the game at 2-2 before the break, where the scoreline stayed.
Asked how pleased he was with the performance, Iraola told the Daily Echo: “Yes, very proud. Very proud about the performance.
Bournemouth's Justin Kluivert (second from right) celebrates scoring their side's second goal of the game during the Premier League match at Stamford Bridge, London. (Image: Andrew Matthews/PA Wire)
“The reward is not massive, it’s one point. Still another kind of these games where I think you do a lot of very good things, but one point, probably we would have taken it before coming here.
“But looking at how the game has developed, probably not fully satisfied.
“I think Chelsea have had the ball more than us. But I think the clearest chances have been for us.
“Okay, I hope we keep this performance level and I hope we receive the rewards later in the next games. But it's a point that I don't know how it tastes.”
The Cherries started with excellent energy and led after six minutes through David Brooks.
While Chelsea were level after 15, the intensity from Bournemouth continued throughout the first half and they drew themselves level through Justin Kluivert.
Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola (left) arriving at the stadium before the Premier League match at Stamford Bridge, London. (Image: Andrew Matthews/PA Wire)
Asked about the fast start, Iraola said: “Yes, I think the first half against Brentford has been probably our worst first half since I'm here.
“I would say even and definitely we needed to improve that one. I think first half we still had a lot of energy.
“We recovered the ball in very good positions. We've created very good or clear chances. I wasn't really happy to finish 2-2 the first half.
“Second half we didn't have the same energy to defend as high. So we needed to defend a little bit lower. They pushed us more.
“But we've played another kind of game, defensively very good. But when you recover lower the ball probably you don't have the offensive positions to hurt Chelsea we've had the last one with Enes.
“But I felt like first half we've been better.”