Not one of those five-star Chelsea games. We played well enough to nick three points. Portsmouth truly stretched us as much as they can. With some luck, they could have even got a draw. It was quite an average performance from Chelsea or you can that was the Chelsea machine in motion – typically robust and physical in defence and grinding out results. This win, and for that matter, all the wins to come, are absolutely crucial in the title race.

Apart from Petr Cech, i dont think anyone else had a great game as such. Diarra had a very good game and Lampard was good too. Ashley Cole was involved in both the goals but was not shining as much as you’d expect. Drogba scored his 29th goal of the season but still had a bad match losing possession countless number of times and had some heavy touches too often. Robben should have done a lot better and absolutely screwed some sitters for assists. Shevchenko did complain of not getting the ball but he did get very good service in the second half but for some reason, expects the defenders to be a yard away from him. Kalou was lucky to get a goal for himself.

Petr Cech mad the difference today. His saves in the second half were top notch. This was what we were missing when Hilario was on goal. Hilario did his very best but even at his best, he could not produce even half of what Cech can. Not only his saves, the way he commands his area during set pieces is fantastic. It does take a very horrible defensive effort or a outstanding strike to beat this man.

Jose was happy that there were no injuries in this match:

It was a big victory today and no injuries. That is almost unique this season. If the best keeper in the Premiership had not been out for four months how many more points would Chelsea have? He is a keeper who gives us 10 to 15 points a season.

When Jose was asked about Man Utd’s lucky phase:

Are they lucky? Yes. They win the last minute and they have no injuries so the Gods are with them. But we have to be honest and fair with them and give them what they deserve which is big respect to the manager and the players. Our job is to keep winning matches and get back to six points (behind) and have the pressure on them. We have to win all our matches and wait for them to drop some points.

Well, Man Utd are really riding their luck. Their goal was absolutely against the run of play and Liverpool should feel robbed, especially after getting a legal goal disallowed. We have won matches in the last few minutes but those were deserving victories and they were not against the run of play. Man Utd seems to have thier luck too win even in those matches where they have struggled and have been thoroughly dominated, like today’s match.

Okay, Man Utd have won a difficult away game against a top team. And after the match, they did celebrate as if it was their title winning match. That’s exactly what I want them to do. They should get complacent at some point of time. Table leaders do lose matched in March and April. That’s when you play too many matches, either get tired or complacent or lose focus. In the 2005-06 season, when we were 15 points off Man Utd, we lost 3-0 shockingly to Boro and weeks later we lost to Fulham. Similarly, when Man Utd claimed to chase us hard, didn’t they draw with Sunderland at Old Trafford to their intolerable frustration? These things happen.

I would say, under the circumstances, it’s easy for me to keep the faith!