José Mourinho's opening post-match comments following the one-sided 3-0 victory over Nottingham Forest were almost a carbon copy of those against Wycombe in midweek.

 

"We have to play these matches in a serious and professional way. If you do it, you make the game easy. If you don't, it gives hope to the opponent and they give you a difficult time."

 

Three first-half goals and, with Forest failing to muster more than one single shot (albeit off target), Mourinho's words proved true.

 

"We started strong and the opponent could not cope with it. After 20 minutes, 2-0 and half-time, 3-0, the game is over.

 

"That's what we needed because we have a game on Wednesday. We needed to play more at a lower intensity and to rest some players rather than to win 4- or 5-0. We did a good and strong first-half and played the second-half in a very pragmatic way."

 

Inevitably, following midweek media stories regarding Drogba's partnership with Shevchenko, questions were asked about how they fared today.

 

"These interviews, I would like to listen to them but I never do it. So it's quite difficult to believe in so many things you read in the press," José responded sceptically.

 

"I prefer to believe in players rather than media.

 

"But I think again they worked together for the team and it's impossible for a team to succeed without co-operation between players. I think we had a team on the pitch working together."

 

José was asked to explain why, at one point, he was roaring with laughter with assistant Steve Clarke.

 

Again, he broke out into a laugh as he explained his prediction about Forest's Julian Bennett.

 

"I found it funny because that boy, the left-back was quite aggressive during the game and he was kicking a few people. He was not accepting Didier hugs and Essien hugs, he was ready to fight everybody.

 

"When I saw Sheva taking the ball and starting his run, I told Stevie, he will kill him! Even before I finished my comments, the boy from behind?. rrruck!"

 

With the transfer window about to close, Mourinho was asked whether he planned to add to the squad.

 

"No, I don't think so, unless something very negative happens again. I hope not to lose any more players, I hope only to recover some players," he answered and then proceeded to give an update on the injured.

 

"Petr Cech is back, Carvalho is back but was just ill. I hope Ballack's problem is not a big deal and he can be back for the next game.

 

"Maka was ill today. Boulahrouz three weeks, a month, and Joe is the one I will miss for a couple of months I think. He will play the last month of the season, no more than that."

 

He then gave more positive news on the return of both the captain and the in-form Dutch winger.

 

"John and Robben we hope to have back soon: a week for John and a week or two weeks for Arjen.

 

"John has very little chance to play on Wednesday but a big chance to play against Charlton. But, to be fair, Carvalho and Essien are playing together for a long time now and playing together very well.

 

"I think the natural tendency is for this team to improve. When you play good football, the morale is coming, the confidence is back.

 

"One month ago, my defenders didn't want the ball, they kicked the ball up, they are afraid to make mistakes. Today they want the ball, they keep possession of the ball easily.

 

"The midfield is playing very compact. The young boys, Diarra and Mikel, are playing very well."

 

By Gill Lester