Daniel Farke insisted Norwich City's brave FA Cup penalty shootout exit at nine-man Chelsea on Wednesday was rough justice on his superb Canaries.
Jamal Lewis's 94th equaliser stunned the Premier League champions at Stamford Bridge, after Michy Batshuayi appeared to have edged the hosts into a fourth round home tie against Newcastle United.
Neither side could force a breakthrough in an extra-time period that saw both Pedro and Alvaro Morata sent off, but Nelson Oliveira's spot kick miss proved decisive after Chelsea slotted a faultless five penalties.
'We have several lads in the dressing room with tears in their eyes because they played with such emotion,' said Farke. 'They were so sad because we were close to a win. For me, it is more like I am really proud because of this attitude and togetherness. For a large part of this game we were on the same level as the defending champion of the Premier League. In general, for our fans, our club and our group it was a brilliant night. We should all be proud of them.
'We are a bit disappointed not to create a really big, big sensation.'
Farke admitted he was as surprised as most to see his marauding teenage wing back Lewis glance Timm Klose's header past Willy Caballero to spark joyous scenes.
'When we get an equaliser from Jamal in the 94th minute I felt it was well-deserved,' said Farke.
'We did not defend their goal very well but we hit the bar, hit the post, James Maddison had a one-versus-one situation. When Jamal heads the equaliser we all get the feeling it will be something special.
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'He is not known for beautiful headers, they are normally pretty ugly.
'He has been working a lot on this but we thought then this could be the day.
'I am not sure what he was doing that high up the pitch. It was seconds to go so perhaps he lost his nerve and forgot he can not normally head the ball and found himself in this situation.
'The ball hits his head, I don't think it was a beautiful header but I don't care.
'I got the feeling we were struggling in the first 20 minutes but then we brought our game to the right level.
'I was annoyed about the goal we conceded. It was from a counter situation and we were a bit sloppy. Chelsea had a throw then a cross and were sloppy in our defending.'
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