Final whistle verdict: Right mentality #viaChelseaOfficial Jose Mourinho praised the performance of his side after we recovered from a slow start to secure a 3-0 win over Tottenham Hotspur. Eden Hazard and Didier Drogba scored within three minutes of each other in the first half to put us in control of the contest, with substitute Loic Remy adding a third shortly after coming on. The win ensures we remain six points clear of Manchester City at the top of the Premier League table and we are yet to be beaten this season in all competitions. Mourinho felt the performances of both Drogba and Remy more than made up for the absence of Diego Costa: We need him but our mentality is the right one,’ said the Portuguese. ‘If we don’t have a player we don’t cry about it. We give confidence to the other players and they respond in the best way. Obviously Drogba did very well, Remy the same, but I would prefer to speak about the team. It was a very difficult match against a very good Tottenham, who were better than us in the first 20 minutes but the team were able to face a difficult moment, be stable, score and manage the game in the right way. It was an important victory. We are doing well, getting good results in every competition. I don’t think we should speak too much about it, we must go game after game, play the best we can and try to get the best results.’ The manager provided an update on Gary Cahill, who was withdrawn at half-time following an aerial collision with Jan Vertonghen: ‘He’s okay, he has no concussion and isn’t in need of special care. He was just a little bit afraid of heading the ball. It was a good opportunity for Zouma, under pressure. Today was a real test and I’m so happy with his evolution since he arrived. He will be a big player for Chelsea for many years.’ He doesn’t believe Tottenham’s record at the Bridge – they haven’t won here since 1990 – had any effect on the result: ‘Many of our players don’t know that and I believe many Spurs players don’t know that. It doesn’t play a part, every game is a separate event, it doesn’t matter what happened five, 10 or 20 years ago.’ Mourinho was asked about what Drogba brings to the side: ‘He’s a team player firstly, after that he has an old-style mentality; not selfish, not vain, humble guy, plays for the team and fights for the team. ‘When he’s on the bench and he comes to play the last couple of minutes because the team needs somebody to hold the ball he does that with the same enthusiasm and spirit which he starts the game with. ‘I played against him with Real Madrid and also last year when he was at Galatasaray, so I could see the potential he still has. I knew from a mental point of view he would adapt to his role, not playing every game, which is a very important role for the team. ‘The club want him to stay, I want him to stay so it will be his decision when he decides to stop as a player.’ Tottenham manger Mauricio Pochettino felt our two quick goals altered the complexion of the match: ‘They scored with their first chance and after the second goal the game changed,’ he said. ‘We lost against a good team who were very confident.’
Posted on: Thu, 04 Dec 2014 06:43:33 +0000