Andre Villas-Boas was one happy man following his team's 2-1 win over Manchester City last night.
Following the media bashing he had revived recently, Villas-Boas said: “This was was a good win for the players.
“They adapted well to going 1-0 down, City took great belief by going ahead.
“But it was a good week for us. we are still seven points behind City (the leaders) but there are so many teams in the hunt for the title as well as ourselves.
“We have believe and self-confidence to pursue our attacking football. We pushed City back to their low block.”
Speaking about the criticism he and the club have received in recent times, Villas-Boas was excited to get his point across: “I never avoid my own satisfaction or dissatisfaction,” he uttered.
“I did not go into a media clash, I give my honest opinion.
“Me and my technical staff are responsible for selecting the team. “We did not stubble across this team or formation.
“We would be incompetent if that was the case.”
Returning to the match and City's claim for a penalty he said:
“I was made aware that they could have had a penalty - but we have been on the wrong end of decisions like that in the past, maybe City had that tonight.”
Talking about Lampard, Villas-Boas admitted that the midfielder should not even have taken it. “We assigned Mata to take it,” he said.
“But Frank took the ball off him and he scored.”
The Chelsea boss then went on about himself and the story that he asked his players to celebrate with him when they scored.
“I am not arrogant to suggest that they celebrate with me. It is I correct and unfair. When they score they should feel that the bench are doing the same.”
He then lambasted media reports about his team saying that suggestions that the players were unfit etc were wrong and the media were wrong to criticise them.
Talking about Nicolas Anelka, he was on a roll: “Neither Anelka or Alex were badly treated by Chelsea,” he insisted.
“We reached and agreement with the Chinese side for Anelka. We decided to fine tune our side to what we are doing in training.
“It's normal to part company with players and we wish him all the best.”
Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini was seething that his side lost this clash.
With barely concealed anger, he said: “After the sending off (of Clichy) the game changed.
Then sarcastically he said: “I agree with all the decisions the referee made.
“Perhaps he (the ref) did not see it as it was raining.”
He then elaborated: “We had a clear penalty. Everyone saw it - even people not in the stadium saw it.
“It was a big penalty. we can win or lose to a side like Chelsea because they a great side, but to lose like this?”
He left the question hanging as if to emphasise the point.
“We dominated the game,” he added. “But we did not score the second goal. Aguero missed a good chance and then there was the penalty that was denied us.
“But he loss does not mean much or change anything for us.
“The season is long and hard. But we did not deserve to lose. “Chelsea were very lucky, but we have to recover and we will do so.”