Jose Mourinho says Chelsea's win at Stoke was about more than just three points – it shows his side can cope when they are up against the odds.
In a physical match, from which Blues emerged slightly battered and bruised, goals from John Terry and Cesc Fabregas ensured they remained top by three points on Christmas Day.
“To win here we must play a very good game,’ said Mourinho. ‘We did it because we adapted well to their style of play, when they had the ball. When we had the ball we tried not to lose our identity and play our game.
“To score in the beginning is important but not so much in this stadium because they are always strong, the crowd is behind them and the team is mentally strong. They have good players, a good bench and Mark Hughes can make changes because he has players for that. It was a very difficult victory.
“It’s a victory that means a bit more than the three points, not just because it’s difficult but because to win here you need to put more than just your quality in.
“The players were together, they coped well with a difficult style and were not afraid to have responsibility. Our creative players were not afraid to assume the game and create, our defensive players were very solid, so only with a great team performance is it possible to be successful against Stoke.”
