Chelsea edged out Dynamo Kiev 2-1 at Stamford Bridge with a victory that could yet salvage their chances of reaching the Champions League knock-out phase - and eased huge presser on manager Jose Mourinho.
Here, we examine the under-fire Blues boss' night in west London.
SELECTION
Out went Eden Hazard, Gary Cahill and John Obi Mikel, with Nemanja Matic, Cesc Fabregas and Baba Rahman slotting in from the start. Hazard's demotion was a clear warning shot from Mourinho, challenging the Belgian to start reproducing his stellar form of last season.
STRATEGY
Rahman's inclusion proved a clear ploy from Mourinho to exploit perceived weaknesses down Kiev's right. Rahman doubled up with Oscar on Chelsea's left flank, allowing the Brazilian to dictate much of the Blues' first-half play.
And it was Rahman's long-range switch to Willian that allowed the midfielder to fire in the cross that forced Aleksandar Dragovic's own goal. Mourinho threw Hazard and Pedro into action immediately after Kiev equalised, but it was Willian's smart free-kick that sealed victory.
BODY LANGUAGE
Mourinho produced the full-court press of moral support tactics, calling his entire family into service, sitting just behind the Chelsea dugout. While Mourinho's son often attends matches, his wife and daughter are far more sporadic with their trips to Stamford Bridge.
Every time the crowd chanted his name, Mourinho responded with a wave - never triumphant, but just enough of an acknowledgement to help send a message to owner Roman Abramovich.
After reports of dressing room unrest even though Chelsea's players looked unsettled at times, at no point did Mourinho's men give up the ghost. Mourinho met the final whistle with the kind of calm deserving of a victory that may yet salvage Chelsea's chances of reaching the Champions League's knock-out stages.
Source: PA-WIRE
