• Carling Cup

Villas-Boas dedicates win to Terry

ESPN staff
October 26, 2011
Andre Villas-Boas praised Chelsea's determination © PA Photos
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Chelsea manager Andre Villas-Boas praised the character of his team after surviving an extra-time thriller at Everton in the Carling Cup on Wednesday evening.

Villas-Boas, whose first-choice side were reduced to nine men against QPR in the Premier League last weekend, had goalkeeper Ross Turnbull sent off for bringing down Louis Saha in the box. However, Villas-Boas' men held on as Daniel Sturridge netted the winner in the 116th minute.

Delighted with the result, Villas-Boas then said the result was for their under-fire captain John Terry - currently at the centre of a race row.

"The spirit of the players took us through. I think all of the players would like to dedicate the win to John Terry," Villas-Boas said.

"We deserved it for what we put on as an effort and for the football we played. To be fair, I think we had the worst of the draws.

"It was a difficult game to play, Everton would like to challenge for silverware and the commitment they had to this competition made them a strong team."

He added: "We were very committed, we showed resilience and strength of character once again. We went down to 10 men, unfortunately, once again and made things even more difficult but we were able to triumph in difficulty and these are good signs for us.

"They showed they wanted to go through this phase but we were able, not only to play good football, but show good commitment and desire. It shows we are progressing and it is very satisfying for everybody."

Villas-Boas, who had no complaints about Turnbull's dismissal, admitted his side were hanging on in the closing minutes of normal time. He said: "Everton had the desire and motivation, they were on top and we had to hold on until extra-time arrived.

"What satisfies more is the talent came out in this situation and when the numbers got even they found better spaces and we got the goal we wanted."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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