Jose Mourinho thanked Blues supporters for their contribution to today’s convincing victory over West Bromwich Albion.

The Special One recently upset the Stamford Bridge faithful by saying it was like playing in an empty stadium in Chelsea’s recent west London derby win against QPR.

He has apologised for those comments and reckons the volume in SW6 had certainly cranked up a notch this afternoon for the 2-0 triumph over the Baggies.

Flying the flag: A young Chelsea fan

Diego Costa marked his return to full fitness with yet another Blues goal and Belgian playmaker Eden Hazard doubled the advantage.

The game was over as a contest when Baggies star Claudio Yacob was given a straight red card for a challenge on Costa midway through the first half.

“There is no comparison,” Mourinho said of the difference in atmosphere.

Chelsea fans walk past a merchandise stall ahead of the Barclays Premier League match between Chelsea and West Bromwich Albion
Build-up: Chelsea fans ahead of the Barclays Premier League match

“I don’t want to speak about it, for good and for bad. They pay me to coach and win matches, not to be critical of the crowd, so I feel sorry for my comments a couple of weeks ago. But the reality is that today the difference today was amazing.”

With both goals and the red card coming in the first period, Mourinho pinpointed those opening 45 minutes as the key to his side’s three points today.

“The first half was brilliant, beautiful,” he added.

Salute: Chelsea's John Terry at the end of the match

“The quality of our football was high, another dimension. We were playing so well, so fast and fluid. We made the pitch wide, creating spaces to play. We scored two goals and should have scored more than that, it was fantastic.

“In the second half it was different; we decreased the intensity of our ball circulation and made it easier for them to occupy the spaces. I also have to say they did very well, they made the decision to be very well organised defensively, compact with two lines, leaving one player up, and they got a result which I think gives them stability and confidence.”

Chelsea will now turn their attention to the Champions League and trip to Schalke in midweek.