Carlo Ancelotti was pleased with his side's output in a narrow win despite failing to control the game against an impressive Porto side.
The Italian oversaw a sixth straight win under his leadership at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday evening, but found it hard going on a greasy surface against the spritely Portuguese champions.
'I think that in the first half we found it difficult because we wanted to pass the ball in the centre and they were very close, in the second half after scoring we had some opportunities to score a second goal,' he analysed. 'At the end we were not able to keep the ball and control the game.
'[I was] not anxious but we had a difficulty to control the Porto attacking. They played very well, but it is normal to have a difficult game because these games have a lot of balance. It is good for us to win.
'We can play better, not always can we play our best', he continued. 'Sometimes we have to win without playing well. This is another important thing for the team, it is impossible to play well all the games. Sometimes we can win with other characteristics.'
Porto could have had an equaliser, with Cristian Rodriguez, Hulk and Silvestre Varela all going close, but Ancelotti insisted he was not surprised with the visitors' quality, and had praise for goalscorer Nicolas Anelka.
'I am not surprised because I know very well Porto and I know they are a very good team, they like to play football and did so tonight very well. It is not a surprise.
'Anelka is a great player, with Drogba and without Drogba. He can play alone in the centre of the attack and also together with Drogba. I am very happy for him because he is doing very well now.
'I think that the attacking play was good in the first half. We had a problem to maintain control in the second half.'
With Atletico Madrid drawing 0-0 with APOEL in the other game in Group D, our position has been strengthened further, and Ancelotti believes the win will help contribute towards a continued positive atmosphere among the squad.
'I think Chelsea and Porto have a lot of possibility to win this group but we have another five matches and I think that Atletico Madrid have a chance to create difficulties for us.
'I think it was important to win to maintain a good confidence in our play and a good atmosphere in the dressing room. I know very well it is impossible to win all the games. It will happen that we cannot win.'
Six games in though, all is well, and Blues fans will be keen to ensure Sunday's visit of Tottenham in the Premier League is not one of those games that we cannot win.
You can watch tonight's match again on Chelsea TV from midnight.
The Italian oversaw a sixth straight win under his leadership at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday evening, but found it hard going on a greasy surface against the spritely Portuguese champions.
'I think that in the first half we found it difficult because we wanted to pass the ball in the centre and they were very close, in the second half after scoring we had some opportunities to score a second goal,' he analysed. 'At the end we were not able to keep the ball and control the game.
'[I was] not anxious but we had a difficulty to control the Porto attacking. They played very well, but it is normal to have a difficult game because these games have a lot of balance. It is good for us to win.
'We can play better, not always can we play our best', he continued. 'Sometimes we have to win without playing well. This is another important thing for the team, it is impossible to play well all the games. Sometimes we can win with other characteristics.'
Porto could have had an equaliser, with Cristian Rodriguez, Hulk and Silvestre Varela all going close, but Ancelotti insisted he was not surprised with the visitors' quality, and had praise for goalscorer Nicolas Anelka.
'I am not surprised because I know very well Porto and I know they are a very good team, they like to play football and did so tonight very well. It is not a surprise.
'Anelka is a great player, with Drogba and without Drogba. He can play alone in the centre of the attack and also together with Drogba. I am very happy for him because he is doing very well now.
'I think that the attacking play was good in the first half. We had a problem to maintain control in the second half.'
With Atletico Madrid drawing 0-0 with APOEL in the other game in Group D, our position has been strengthened further, and Ancelotti believes the win will help contribute towards a continued positive atmosphere among the squad.
'I think Chelsea and Porto have a lot of possibility to win this group but we have another five matches and I think that Atletico Madrid have a chance to create difficulties for us.
'I think it was important to win to maintain a good confidence in our play and a good atmosphere in the dressing room. I know very well it is impossible to win all the games. It will happen that we cannot win.'
Six games in though, all is well, and Blues fans will be keen to ensure Sunday's visit of Tottenham in the Premier League is not one of those games that we cannot win.
You can watch tonight's match again on Chelsea TV from midnight.
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