Mourinho ecstatic about Essien
Wednesday, October 19, 2005
Article summary
Chelsea FC manager José Mourinho hailed the contribution of Michael Essien in his side's 4-0 victory against Real Betis Balompié.
Article body
Chelsea FC produced a powerful display at Stamford Bridge to claim a 4-0 victory against Real Betis Balompié and go top of UEFA Champions League Group G. Didier Drogba, Ricardo Carvalho, Joe Cole and Hernán Crespo supplied the goals, two in each half, and midfield player Michael Essien produced a magnificent all-round performance that included two assists. Betis started in lively fashion and might have gone in front, but faded badly as their early belief ebbed away.
José Mourinho, Chelsea manager
We don't want to send a message, we just want to achieve our targets, which are to win the Premiership and, for the time being, get to the next stage of the UEFA Champions League. We have seven points in the group and it is a very good situation. It was very important to score the first goal. They started very well, probably better than us but the first goal is always important. They always play good football and are always dangerous, and I think in two weeks' time it will be a different game away at Betis. In the second half they gave us a lot of space and we maybe could have scored five. For me, Michael Essien was the man of the match. He won every battle in midfield and he was crucial for two of the goals. He had too much power for them.
Llorenç Serra Ferrer, Betis coach
It was a good experience despite the result, part of a learning curve for us. Congratulations to Chelsea, they competed better. I don't think their play was spectacular enough to warrant a 4-0 scoreline, though. I think Chelsea can be stopped. There are some good teams at the same level as them, such as [FC] Barcelona and Real Madrid [CF]. This match could help us. It is our first time in the UEFA Champions League and it's a tough group. It's all about learning for me and my players. I think we have to look calmly at what happened. Any sportsman must be self-critical and look at how he can improve. Miguel Ángel has a knee problem and Óscar López has a torn muscle.
Carlo Cudicini, Chelsea goalkeeper
I was very happy to keep a clean sheet tonight. It was great to get the opportunity and also to be part of such a great club. It was important to get the three points which put us in a strong position in the group.
Joe Cole, Chelsea midfield player
We are very happy with the performance tonight. To get four goals against anyone in the UEFA Champions League is excellent. I want to dedicate my goal to my dad, who is ill in hospital.
