Andriy Shevchenko launched double strike to send Chelsea through
to the League Cup final with a 4-0 win against Wycombe Wanderers at
Stamford Bridge in London Tuesday.
Shevchenko had been put on bench by Mourinho in recent weeks
after failing to live up to his 30 million pounds price tag, but he
went some way to redeeming himself with two clincial goals against
the visitors from the fourth tier of English professional
football.
Former AC Milan striker Shevchenko, making just his second start
of 2007, also set up the first of Frank Lampard's two goals in a
semi-final second leg victory that sealed a 5-1 aggregate
triumph.
Afterwards Mourinho paid tribute to Shevchenko, telling Sky
Sports: "I demand commitment, effort, being aggressive, working and
playing for the team, working with the ball, working without the
ball - that's what I demand.
"The team is happy with him. It's not just about me being happy
with him."
Shevchenko, speaking in halting English, added: "Good game. I'm
very happy to reach the final. It's important the team plays very,
very well."
Shevchenko's treatment has been central to a reported breakdown
in relations between Mourinho and Roman Abramovich, Chelsea's
billionaire Russian owner.
Shevchenko was the only player ignored by Mourinho when he
consoled his players as they walked off the pitch after Saturday's
defeat against Liverpool, further fuelling talk of a rift between
the Ukrainian and his manager.
(China Daily January 24, 2007)