Chelsea rearguard earns AVB praise

Chelsea boss Andre Villas-Boas hailed his team’s defensive effort after their 1-0 win over Blackburn at Ewood Park.

A Frank Lampard header in the 51st minute was enough for the visitors to secure all three points, but Villas-Boas was thrilled with his defenders, who helped the team to their first clean sheet since the opening day of the Premier League.

Villas-Boas said a win of any type, given the team had lost two league games in succession, was crucial.

“It was important to win the game no matter what and no matter what kind of conditions,” Villas-Boas said. ”

“Two-nil would be better, we were close to it at the end but couldn’t get it and had to suffer a little bit and managed to hold on to a clean sheet.”

“Every set play you felt they were dangerous and we managed to be brave enough to defend them.”

“It’s never easy at Ewood Park, particularly after the moment we were going through with back-to-back defeats in the Premier League, and also bearing in mind that Blackburn are in desperate need of points.”

Blackburn manager Steve Kean felt his side had deserved something from the match after spurning several good chances to score.

“I think we deserved at least something,” he told Sky Sports. “There was vast spells in the game where we dominated, especially in the second half.”

“I think the amount of chances that we created against a very good Chelsea side I’ve got to take my hat off to the lads.”

“They were exceptional in their application and their work ethic. We just felt as though, but for a couple of good saves and the width of a coat of paint on the crossbar we could have got something.”

Kean was also disappointed by the loss of defender Chris Samba with a hamstring strain in the first half.

“Unfortunately we lost Chris. He’s pulled his hamstring,” he said. “That’s disappointing because he’s an influential figure for us. He’s excellent in both boxes.”