For all the millions lavished by Roman Abramovich this summer, Chelsea remain a work in progress, which is just the way the manager likes it. With little width, an unbalanced midfield and a bemused-looking Andriy Shevchenko, the flaws are evident for all to see, but such weaknesses are more than compensated for by the players' character, commitment and the occasional outbreak of sheer class. Such is the Mourinho way.
There were times last season when he appeared bored by his side's pre-eminence, leading to a determination to do things differently this time around. Having been handed several world-class players by Abramovich, it feels as if Mourinho has resolved to remould them in his own image, hence his delight at a victory with his signature all over it.
“It was a fantastic goal and a fantastic victory,” Mourinho said. “We showed unbelievable spirit and incredible desire to win the game and fight as a team. I like the kind of football we played in the second half.
“It was not pretty, not beautiful and we did not score goals, but we got three points. The team had unbelievable character. I like to see the players playing like they did, (Frank) Lampard, (Claude) Makelele and Essien running miles, Shevchenko wide on the right, (Arjen) Robben dropping deep. For the spirit we showed we deserve the happiness of the points.”
Whether Shevchenko is truly happy at his new lot in life, watching long balls disappear over his head, is a moot point, though no one can question his commitment. There was a moment in the first half when he ran back deep into his own half to fight for the ball with the far bulkier frames of Jamie Carragher and Sissoko, emerging with it only to cast a mournful look at the substitutes' bench.
It is one of the many curiosities surrounding Chelsea this season that Drogba and Shevchenko appear to have swapped roles, with the workhorse replacing the thoroughbred. Drogba's 42nd-minute goal was of the highest class. He beat Carragher in the air to Lampard's cross from the right wing before turning to thump the ball from 20 yards past José Manuel Reina with his left foot. The Ivory Coast striker has scored four goals in five Barclays Premiership games this season, with Mourinho predicting many more from him and his partner.
“Drogba and Shevchenko have different qualities and in the future I hope to see a better Shevchenko with the same Drogba,” Mourinho said. “Drogba is at the point he has to be, very strong physically, able to fight for the team in every aspect of the game and scoring plenty of goals. Sheva is an absolutely beautiful player and will score goals. He will be ready to give us some goals when we need him, when we're not playing well and need victories.”
Benítez would love to have even a below-par Shevchenko in his squad at the moment as for the third away game in succession they failed to score — particularly galling as Chelsea's victory was secured with their only shot of the game. With Jermaine Pennant providing pace and width, the visiting team were on top and creating chances until Drogba's intervention. Despite having a busy game, Dirk Kuyt was the most culpable, hitting the crossbar from close range when released by a wonderful through-ball from Xavi Alonso.
Ballack's reckless challenge, for which he later apologised to Sissoko, gave Liverpool further opportunity to press home their dominance, but they again failed to take their chances. Steven Gerrard somehow struck the feet of Petr Cech with the goal at his mercy, Kuyt hooked a left-foot shot over the bar and they could even have had a late penalty, when Lampard appeared to push Gerrard in the box in the 77th minute.
“I was next to the linesman and it was clear that Lampard pushed Gerrard, but we cannot change the result,” Benítez said. “If you analyse the game, we deserved more. In the first half we were creating clear chances and controlling the game. In the second half we were much better in wide areas and created even more chances.
“As the manager of Liverpool the positive is that in the last three away matches we've created more chances than the local teams. It's clear that we're improving but we need more points. It's a matter of time and if we continue to create chances we will score goals.”
If not, then Liverpool's involvement in the title race, along with Benítez's feud with Mourinho, could also be over.