Jose Mourinho was left to reflect on a job well done after Sunday afternoon's 2-0 victory at Derby in the FA Cup.
Mourinho's side emerged comfortable winners with Mikel scoring only his 4th goal in more then seven years.
'The game was difficult,' said Mourinho. 'In the first half we played quite well, we were not far from scoring but it was still 0-0 at half-time and that is a big risk, because after that if the opponent scores you are in trouble.
'They got the message that in the second half we needed an extra intensity. I decided to change Essien for Eden Hazard to bring an extra attacking player on to make it more difficult for them.
'The team played seriously, we won, job done.'
It was a landmark day for John Mikel Obi, in many respects…
'I never recognise his ability to score goals!' the Portuguese laughed.
'I recognise his ability to play as an anchorman, to play that position in a very comfortable way, with no mistakes. He reads the game well, plays in an intelligent and safe way, but I never recognise his goalscoring appetite.
'There was a smile on my face [when he scored]. For some reason Essien gave him the armband, normally it should go to Ashley Cole, so maybe it made him believe he was a goalscorer!
'It was important for us, we were dominating and dominating, creating and creating but the goal was not arriving. It was like the winning goal.'
