Boss stands by changes after Chelsea win

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Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho said the impact substitutes Oscar and Willian made in the 3-0 victory over Southampton justified his decision to take off Juan Mata and Andre Schurrle just eight minutes into the second half.

Mata was clearly unhappy after being withdrawn, but Oscar then created the first goal for Fernando Torres before the two Brazilians each got on the scoresheet.

Mourinho said: “I think his [Mata’s] frustration was because of the result, because we knew we had to win.

Juan Mata of Chelsea
Mata was taken off at St Mary’s.

“If we don’t win this game the difference to the leaders is bigger. When he came off the team was losing two points, so I think his frustration was about that.

“At the end of the game everybody, including him, was happy in the dressing room and everybody was celebrating the victory.

“I think Willian and Oscar gave us a different intensity and speed and after that the game was open and quite easy for us.”

And the Portuguese revealed that he had been tempted to make changes at the interval.

He explained: “I waited, because I was thinking about doing that at half-time.

“I was waiting to see if there was a reaction from my team talk. But I thought that was the best period for Southampton. We were losing control and I just had to make the changes.

“I felt sorry for the players I changed, but I am not here to be nice to the players, I think of the team.”

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