Mourinho, Lampard praise Mikel

by Pius Ayinor with agency report
Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho and his
midfield star Frank Lampard praised
Chelsea’s performance at West Ham on
Saturday evening and paid tribute to the
exceptional defensive work of Mikel Obi.
Mourinho was full of praise for Lampard
and Oscar following the 3-0 London derby
win at West Ham but tied Lampard's
performance to the quality cover provided
by the Nigerian who now enjoys a
commanding role with his national team.
Lampard scored twice against his former
club as Chelsea claimed a second away win
in the Premier League this term, with Oscar
also on target at Upton Park.
The 35-year-old England midfielder
converted a penalty and a trademark strike
from the edge of the area to end a 10-match
scoreless run in the Premier League and take
his tally to five goals in his last five league
games against the club he left in the summer
of 2001.
“He played very well,” Mourinho said.
“We gave him the protection of Mikel to let
him go forward a bit more. After that Lamps
felt a bit more freedom to go and to support
and to arrive in shooting areas.”
The England midfielder, like Mourinho,
acknowledged the role of Mikel in his
performance and also had kind words for
the Nigerian.
He told Chelsea Tv , "It was enjoyable,
because from the first minute we were on it.
We haven’t done it well enough away from
home this season and having lost some silly
points in the last two games we were very up
for it. It was a very complete performance.
We caused them loads of problems.
"Obi in there is a great guarantee behind
you. It certainly gives me a few more
opportunities to get forward."
Mourinho then revealed he hopes to help
Lampard to a successful conclusion to his
career.
“I was his manager in the best period of his
career and now I come back with him to
enjoy the last period of his career,” said
Mourinho, for whom Lampard was a
mainstay in the side during his first spell as
boss from June 2004 to September 2007.
“When he has this relationship with the
manager, I think he feels even more
comfortable to enjoy himself. He’s in a
moment where he has nothing to prove – to
you, to the fans, to me, to himself. He has
nothing to prove. He has just to enjoy the last
years of his career, try to play the maximum
he can, try to score because scoring was
always something that was part of his DNA
as a player, and enjoy life.”
Mourinho would not be drawn on how long
he expects Lampard, 36 next June, to
continue, but believes Oscar has a long and
bright future.