Chelsea 2 Dynamo Kiev 1 reaction: Jose Mourinho dedicates Champions League win to young fans bullied at school

A spectacular late free-kick from Willian sealed three important Champions League points

Mark Critchley
Thursday 05 November 2015 12:18 GMT
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Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho
Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho (Getty Images)

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Jose Mourinho dedicated his side’s crucial Champions League victory over Dynamo Kiev to the Chelsea-supporting schoolchildren who can now wear the club’s shirt with pride.

The in-form Willian scored with a spectacular late free-kick, just seven minutes from full-time, to restore his side’s lead after Aleksandar Dragovic had made amends for his first-half own goal.

Chelsea’s second win in nine games provided some much-needed relief for the beleaguered Portuguese coach, whose position at Stamford Bridge has come under increasing scrutiny in recent weeks.

“I think it's an amazing feeling for the club to know that the fans are in a good moment,” Mourinho said after the game. “In good moments you see the street full of people celebrating in a buzz.

“It's easy for kids to go to school in a Chelsea shirt when Chelsea win every match.

“It's not easy for 11 or 12-year-old kids to go to school with a Chelsea shirt when Chelsea are losing matches, when probably they are bullied by other kids whose teams are winning.

The Portuguese coach, despite not seeming wholly familiar with the concept of school uniform, was delighted with the reception he received from the Stamford Bridge faithful, who chanted ‘stand up for the Special One’ during the game’s closing stages.

“I think, from a mental point of view, it was important to provide a reaction to a negative moment.”

“I was always impressed when I saw Liverpool at Anfield, when we beat them 4-1 and, in the last 10 minutes, Anfield was singing for that team. I was impressed.

“With Chelsea, I think this is my moment. It was amazing.”

Although they are yet to qualify for the knockout stage, Mourinho’s side now enjoy a two-point cushion over third-placed Kiev in Group G with two games remaining.

The defending Premier League champions will travel to Maccabi Tel Aviv in their penultimate group match before welcoming their manager’s former side, group leaders Porto, in the final game.

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