Calm and controlled! Jose Mourinho praises Chelsea veterans for QPR victory

Posted Monday, April 13, 2015 by Express.co.uk

Staying calm earned Chelsea victory over QPR this afternoon, manager Jose Mourinho believes.

Didier Drogba played a full 90 minutes for Chelsea at Loftus Road

The Blues were frustrated until the dying minutes at Loftus Road when Cesc Fabregas capitalised on a goalkeeping error to score the winner.

The result pushed Chelsea seven points clear at the top of the Premier League in a game in which 37-year-old striker Didier Drogba started up front.

Drogba lasted the whole game, having come into the first XI after Loic Remy failed a late fitness test.

And Mourinho praised his aged forward and also reserved plaudits for captain John Terry, 34, in defence.

"To keep a good balance emotionally was very important," Mourinho said after the game.

"This was a final for both teams and both teams managed to compete at a very high level but at a clean way without losing control of emotions. The referee helped keep control."

"Didier was amazing. Ninety minutes is too much for someone not playing a lot and it's difficult for a player to have 90 minutes in his legs but he had 90 minutes in his brain."

"He is a fantastic example for us when we needed a big personality to step up. As John did, very safe, very calm and controlled."

"It is one step closer. We need three wins and two draws. When we have one match more to play than the other teams."

"Our situation is good. Pure mathematics. We need 11 points."