Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho has praised Mikel Obi after his goal set the London club on the road to victory in the FA Cup at Derby County.
Mourinho told the London club’s website that he has never recognised Mikel as a goal scorer before he headed Chelsea ahead in the 66th minute with a header off a free kick.
“I never recognise his ability to score goals!”, the Portuguese coach laughed.
“I recognise his ability to play as an anchorman, to play that position in a very comfortable way, with no mistakes. He reads the game well, plays in an intelligent and safe way, but I never recognise his goal-scoring appetite.
“There was a smile on my face [when he scored]. For some reason, Essien gave him the armband, normally it should go to Ashley Cole, so maybe it made him believe he was a goal scorer!
“It was important for us, we were dominating and dominating, creating and creating but the goal was not arriving. It was like the winning goal.”
"The game was difficult,” added Mourinho. “In the first half, we played quite well, we were not far from scoring but it was still 0-0 at half-time and that is a big risk, because after that if the opponent scores you are in trouble.
“They got the message that in the second half we needed an extra intensity. I decided to change Essien for Eden Hazard to bring an extra attacking player on to make it more difficult for them.
“The team played seriously, we won, job done.”
Mikel himself told MTNFootball.com that his first goal of the season against Derby in an FA Cup third round match was a New Year gift for the fans.
"I am happy for the goal and victory. It is a nice one. The goal against Derby is a New Year 2014 gift for my fans and Chelsea fans. The year will be a great one for us," Mikel told MTNFootball.com
"It was also wonderful to have played 300 games for Chelsea.
“I love the team wholeheartedly and I am looking forward to more matches. Wearing Chelsea armband in the game was also great, I will continue doing my best for the team."
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