Mourinho praise for Ballack

Jose Mourinho was thrilled to see Michael Ballack score Chelsea's clinching goal.

Ballack and Chelsea's other major summer recruit Andrei Shevchenko have failed to truly convince since making the move to England, but they combined for the vital goal at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday.

Mourinho is fully aware Ballack has been subjected to stiff criticism and feels the goal will hand the German star a much-needed lift.

"I keep saying that criticism doesn't make me decide to play him," said Mourinho.

"I decide in my mind and from the way I analyse the game. I accept, sometimes, opinions from my assistants - nothing else.

"What the crowd thinks does not make me change my mind. But I think the goal is good for him because it put Chelsea in the quarter-finals.

"It is one of those goals that is like a stamp. He put in a great effort to play a good game. He was exactly like the team - didn't play well in the first half, but played very well in the second half.

"But we are a team and I don't like individuals to be in front of the team performance."