Fabregas was unfazed by return – Jose

Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho insisted Cesc Fabregas was unfazed by his return to the Emirates Stadium.

Ex-Arsenal star Fabregas was jeered by some of the home fans and was booked for diving during the 0-0 draw.

Having started in a deeper midfield role, the Spaniard was moved to a more attacking position before being substituted late on.

Asked if Fabregas had any qualms about facing his former club, Mourinho said: “No, he’s the last guy to be nervous.

“He wanted to play and we decided to play him in a position where he could have more control of the game.

“But with the yellow card it was a difficult position for him to play in for such a long time so we put Ramires in that position and Fabregas where he didn’t have to make so many tackles and possibly get a second yellow card.”

The draw restored Chelsea’s 10-point lead at the top of the Premier League and moved them another step towards being confirmed as champions.

With Diego Costa and Loic Remy still not fit, Mourinho started without a recognised striker before Didier Drogba replaced Oscar at half-time.

Mourinho defended the decision – and hit back at the Arsenal fans who chanted “boring, boring Chelsea” at the final whistle.

“I think boring is 10 years without the title – that’s very boring,” said the Portuguese, whose team visit Leicester City on Wednesday.

“Didier Drogba didn’t work with us [in training] until yesterday so we were working on a gameplan all week without Drogba.

“We knew Oscar would get in behind them like he did. He got behind their defensive line.

“In the second half we played with a target man and played more on the counter-attack.

“But every time we were recovering the ball to go on the counter-attack Arsenal were making tactical fouls.”

Mourinho also described John Terry’s display as the Blues skipper’s best during his two spells as manager.

“The team was phenomenal but I think John was one step ahead,” he said.

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