Capital show thrills fans

Evening Chronicle (Newcastle, England), Oct 27, 2008

THE San Diego Chargers are ready to recommend London to other NFL teams despite losing yesterday's match at Wembley 37-32 to the New Orleans Saints.

This was the second in a series of regular-season games the NFL plans to play in the capital and although the Chargers came out on the wrong end of a game both teams described as "must-win", they were full of praise for the London experience.

"I think what stands out to me is the atmosphere of the game," said San Diego's star running back LaDainian Tomlinson.

"I thought it was great - the fans were into the game.

It was really exciting.

"It was great to be a part of it, and if you ask any of the players in the locker room, no doubt they would come back and do it again."

Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers added: "The whole experience was a lot of fun, except the outcome of the game."

For the Chargers it will be a long journey back to San Diego as this loss leaves them with a 3-5 record and an ever smaller chance of reaching the play-offs.

Even so, coach Norv Turner believes the trip did his team good.

"It's been a great experience for both teams," he said.

"It's a great opportunity for our league."

Although it was a disappointment for the Chargers, the vast majority of the sell-out 83,226 crowd went home happy as the two teams put on a fine advertisement for the NFL.

"Whenever you have a score of 37-32, the fans had to get their money's worth and I think they saw two good football teams and I think we put on a show," added Tomlinson.

He was the star of the show for the Chargers, running for 105 yards and also collecting 65 receiving yards with a touchdown.