Blues Boss Defends Misfiring Strikers

Jose Mourinho had to once again defend his strikers on Thursday when Samuel Eto'o  squandered a number of chances against Swansea. Belgian Playmaker Eden Hazard's first half strike earned Chelsea a hard fought 1-0 win against Swansea.

Chelsea were again guilty of failing to finish the game off, with Samuel Eto'o twice denied by Swansea keeper Gerhard Tremmel when presented with a clear opportunity to score. Mourinho's three forwards - Eto'o Fernando Torres and Demba Ba - have scored just five goals in 18 Premier League games, but the Blues manager insists their wider contribution has helped the team progress.

 Mourinho also refused to criticise Cameroon forward Eto'o, who failed to convert after being sent clear on Tremmel's goal immediately before the break and then again when his volley was saved at point-blank range by the keeper. Mourinho said "Today I can say the biggest person responsible for the lack of goals was their goalkeeper because he made three or four big saves," 

"Today I'm saying their goalkeeper played very well. We didn't miss. The goalkeeper made fantastic saves: Eto'o in the first half, the first minute save in the second half.

Mourinho singled out Hazard  after the Belgian turned in a man of the match performance, capped by his ninth goal of the season, confirming him as the club's leading scorer this season.

"He gave everything, so I'm happy," Mourinho said. "His last action in the game was defending our box.

"The kid was tired. He plays a high intensity game. He was exhausted."

Chelsea's Brazilian midfielder Ramires picked up a yellow card that will keep him out of the meeting with Liverpool at Stamford Bridge on Sunday and Mourinho had no complaints as the foul disrupted a threatening Swansea attack.

"He had to stop the game. If he doesn't stop, there's a risk of a dangerous counter-attack," Mourinho added.

"It's the kind of card I don't complain. It wasn't a silly action.

"I don't want to cry. I just want to think about the solutions we have. That's life. You lose players by injuries and cards.

"If I'd not played him today, I wouldn't have forgiven myself if we lost points.

"He doesn't play against Liverpool, but that means he'll be fresh against Southampton."