Under-fire Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho said he was amazed by a mass show of loyalty towards him from supporters as the struggling London side fought their way to victory over Dynamo Kiev in the Champions League Group G match.
Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho Photo: PHOTOSPORT
The 40,000 home fans at Stamford Bridge gave Mourinho a standing ovation in the final minutes of the 2-1 win over the Ukrainian champions having chanted their support throughout the match for the man they still revere as the "Special One".
Chelsea are second in the group, three points behind Mourinho's former club FC Porto.
Mourinho, who has led Chelsea to three English titles but whose future has been the subject of intense speculation for weeks after a string of defeats, said he was more moved than he was by the welcome he received when he started his second stint at the club in 2013.
"Today it comes in a moment where the results are not good, it comes in a moment where you are asking for my end," the Portuguese coach told reporters.
"This is quite unbelievable what they tried to say today. They tried to say we want you here and they probably want to say to all of you 'let him work' and it's a fantastic feeling."
Having won the Premier League last season at a canter, Chelsea are currently 15th, just four points above the relegation zone.
Arsenal face a tough task to qualify from Group F after being outclassed by Bayern Munich.
The Gunners suffered a torrid first half as Robert Lewandowski's header, Thomas Muller's snapshot and David Alaba's strike put the hosts 3-0 up.
Arjen Robben's first-time finish and a Muller breakaway strike came either side of Olivier Giroud's volley.
A record-equalling European defeat leaves Arsenal six points behind Bayern and Olympiakos with two games left.
The Greek side's 2-1 win over Dinamo Zagreb, achieved via a 90th-minute winner, means that qualification is out of Arsenal's hands and they are in danger of failing to reach the knockout stages for the first time in 13 seasons.
- Reuters
