Final whistle verdict: More
than three points
Jose Mourinho had praise for the team after they
dug in to earn a valuable victory which ensures
we top the table at Christmas.
John Terry headed us in front just 90 seconds into a
physical encounter, and Chelsea rarely looked troubled
from that point onwards.
Eden Hazard was the subject of some tough challenges,
while Diego Costa was engaged in an engaging battle
with Stoke’s captain Ryan Shawcross, who was voted
his side’s man of the match.
Cesc Fabregas added a second to take the Blues beyond
reach, the Spaniard having been pushed higher up into a
No10 role with the excellent Nemanja Matic and John
Mikel Obi in holding midfield, with Mourinho explaining
the way the team approached the game...
‘ To win here we must play a very good game,’ he said.
‘We did it because we adapted well to their style of
play, when they had the ball. When we had the ball we
tried not to lose our identity and play our game.
‘To score in the beginning is important but not so much
in this stadium because they are always strong, the
crowd is behind them and the team is mentally strong.
They have good players, a good bench and Mark Hughes
can make changes because he has players for that. It
was a very difficult victory.
‘It’s a victory that means a bit more than the three
points, not just because it’s difficult but because to win
here you need to put more than just your quality in. The
players were together, they coped well with a difficult
style and were not afraid to have responsibility. Our
creative players were not afraid to assume the game and
create, our defensive players were very solid, so only
with a great team performance is it possible to be
successful against Stoke.’
On Eden Hazard ’s performance, having suffered a
hefty tackle from Phil Bardsley early on
‘He did a lot. We need that. Today we decided to play
Mikel and Matic so we lose one creative player. We had
that stability in the team, and left Fabregas, Willian and
Hazard the responsibility to create and they were not
afraid to do that. They put themselves in every situation
and I think the kid was fantastic.
‘It was a difficult fight for the kid, but also a difficult
match for Bardsley. He showed what he is, Bardsley was
injured an Eden a few minutes after being injured that
way, put the ball out. I wouldn’t do it for a guy who
kicked me a few minutes before! The kid is a fantastic
kid.’
On Bardsley’s tackle
‘From my position and in a flash, it looks for me a red
card, but I don’t know. What I know is that if it was a
bad tackle, it was the only one. The game was clean, it
was good. The game was aggressive but it was good.
The referee kept the game under control and the players
were fair. There were good fights, physicality, lots of
duels but the game was clean and if it was a red card it
was an isolated action.’
On Terry, who scored in his 15th successive season
‘He’s very dangerous at set-pieces. He’s a very good
player and in the air. When he is on the pitch he is
always a threat, but more importantly for me is the way
he is playing this season. When I came here last season
he was a bit in trouble, his career was a bit up and
down and not playing regularly for Chelsea.
‘Now in the last two years he is playing every game, and
for me the same level from 2004-2007 when I was here.
‘I think he adapts well to our training methodology, it’s a
good way for a person with his body type to feel sharp
and fast and in good condition. After that it’s happiness.
‘When you’re happy and confident it’s easier in any job.
He knows the way I trust him, and he feels confident and
happy and he’s playing very well.’
On the Christmas schedule, with this the first of four
games in 10 days
‘It’s very difficult. I have lots of respect for the players in
this country. The moment they play in this country I
respect them a lot.
‘At this moment the German guys are on the beach, the
Spanish guys are in the Maldives getting sun, and in this
country you play this day, Boxing Day, the 28th. There is
no Christmas, just football. And the supporters give their
respect because every match is sold out.’
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