Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho claimed this is his “best season so far” in England after his side’s draw at Porto.
“We’re second in the league and still in the FA Cup, Carling Cup and the Champions League,” said Mourinho.
“Considering our injuries and problems, this is my best season here so far.
“Under the circumstances, I am very happy with a draw.
“As a Portuguese man I am proud that my country has such a good team in Porto – but they’ll know it will be hard to beat us at our place
“We lost Terry early on, which would not have been a problem if I had a centre-half on the bench but I didn’t. It meant we had to change the system, personnel, everything.
“Then I had to take Arjen Robben off at half-time and was forced to change it all again. Given all of that, I am happy to score an away goal and not lose.
“As a Portuguese man I am proud that my country has such a good team in Porto – but they’ll know it will be hard to beat us at our place.”
Mourinho also singled out Andrii Shevchenko, who scored the Blues’ goal, saying: “I am more than happy with him.
“I am not saying that because of his goal. His work-rate and contribution is getting better and better and I’m delighted with him.”
Porto coach, Jesualdo Ferreira, was happy to accentuate the posititive after watching his side hold the Premiership champions.
“It was an intense and very tight match, but a positive one,” he said. “We were the better team in the first half – we started well, scored and controlled the play. Robben’s entrance was decisive. Straight away he showed great skill and created the equaliser for Chelsea.
“We also started the second half well but we took risks which gave Chelsea more room in midfield. As they are more experienced than us, we were a bit anxious and that was evident in our play.
“I think a draw was the fairest result but we proved in our seventh Champions League match this season that we can go there and beat them. We’ll play the same way there as we did here because it’s the only way we know – we’re going to London with the aim of going through. We know it will be difficult, but they know it won’t be easy.
