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Mourinho hails Chelsea effort

Cape Town - Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has hailed his side's match-winning performance against Crystal Palace, in the absence of striker Diego Costa.

Off-season signing Loic Remy stepped into the breach for the Blues on Saturday and caused the Eagles' all sorts of problems, with Damien Delaney eventually seeing red following two fouls on the France international.

Goals from Oscar and Cesc Fabregas secured a 2-1 victory for Mourinho's men and the Portuguese tactician had plenty of positives to take way from the performance.

Reflecting on the victory at Selhurst Park, Mourinho said: "Winning without Diego was great.

"There is a general feeling that our team is improved because of Diego and Fabregas and it's right and it's true and it's fair to say that.

"But at the same time this team had a big improvement. We can think the game, control the game, cope in different moments of the game in a completely different way.

"Last year my team was naive. We couldn't cope with certain moments of the game so we've worked, worked, worked and at this moment I'm happy."

A large portion of Chelsea's goals have been provided by Costa, with the Spain international scoring nine times in seven Premier League appearances.

Many pundits and fans wondered whether Chelsea would be able replicate that very same ruthlessness in front of goal and Blues skipper John Terry believes they have proved their doubters wrong.

"The one question mark people had about us was whether we could win without Diego," said Terry. "He's done so well that people wondered, if he was out, who could come in and do it.

"We can match everyone, I think. Our football speaks for itself. Last season people thought they could get in our faces and distract us but we are as strong as anyone and hungry to win the league.

"The hunger is in the squad and ­ hopefully that can see us through."
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