Jose Mourinho lauds the efforts of Shrewsbury Town against Chelsea in the Capital One Cup

Jose Mourinho during Chelsea’s match against Shrewsbury Town in the Capital One Cup

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has revealed that he had anticipated a tough match against Shrewsbury Town at the Greenhous Meadow in the Capital One Cup. Chelsea struggled throughout the match but eventually won 1-2 with the help of an own goal in the 81st minute by Jermaine Grandison.

The visitors went ahead in the third minute after half time thanks to a goal by veteran striker Didier Drogba but Shrewsbury drew level through a 77th minute goal by substitute Andy Mangan. The Premier League leaders won after an own goal broke the home team’s hearts and put them through to the next round.

Mourinho not happy with the team

Sky Sports reported that the “Chosen One” was pleased to get the victory but he was not being impressed with certain players who made the win difficult to achieve.

"I didn't change my feelings (that) the game was going to be difficult. It was difficult from minute one to the last minute. I still had (Eden) Hazard to make a change but I was worried about the possibility of going to extra-time.

We needed to do that change so I delay that change, could be a change to break the game definitely but when you have the possibility of extra-time you have to control the situation which he did so I'm very pleased with the players, I was not expecting a different match.”

Mourinho made seven changes to the team that drew 1-1 at Old Trafford. The goal scorer against Manchester United, Drogba started while Petr Cech played in goal in place of Thibaut Courtois. John Terry, Willian and Eden Hazard sat on the bench while Gary Cahill, Oscar and John Obi Mikel started the match. Meanwhile, Shrewsbury played an unchanged team from their 2-1 win over Portsmouth.

Shrewsbury praised for their showing

The 51-year-old, who has won the Cup twice with Chelsea in his first term as manager, lauded the home team for their efforts and said, "It wasn't desperation (to make the changes). It was showing respect for our club, our fans, Shrewsbury fans and the Capital One Cup. It is not good for the competition if you come into it thinking you can lose."

The goal scorer for Chelsea, Drogba, also came out applauding the performance of their opponents after the match. The League Two team is ranked 72 places below the London club in the English Football League ladder.

The Ivory Coast international footballer who scored his third goal in as many matches for Chelsea said, "Fantastic team, fantastic opponent. I think they give everything and I think they show today why they deserve to be here tonight and they made a very difficult game for us really."