Chelsea attacker Willian claims confidence in the camp is returning and so will results

Willian was more than a match-winner for Chelsea on Wednesday night with a sublime free-kick goal which boosted fragile confidence and provided embattled manager Jose Mourinho with a major fillip.

The Brazil forward, who is one of the few players who cannot be blamed for Chelsea's season of struggle, struck a curling free-kick to earn a 2-1 win over Dynamo Kiev and enhance the Blues' hopes of progression from Champions League Group G.

Chelsea's second win in six games came amid a cacophony of support for Mourinho, who was the subject of the first managerial vote of confidence of Roman Abramovich's 12-year ownership on October 5.

Willian was the hero for Chelsea in the Champions League this week - scoring a free kick at Stamford Bridge

Willian was the hero for Chelsea in the Champions League this week - scoring a free kick at Stamford Bridge

Willian runs towards the stands at Stamford Bridge to celebrate scoring the winner against Dynamo Kiev

Willian runs towards the stands at Stamford Bridge to celebrate scoring the winner against Dynamo Kiev

Willian gets the ball up and over Dynamo Kiev's wall to score a sublime free-kick and seal a 2-1 victory

Willian gets the ball up and over Dynamo Kiev's wall to score a sublime free-kick and seal a 2-1 victory

The caveat was that results must improve, but the defeat of Dynamo and a favourable fixture list - after Saturday's tricky Premier League clash at Stoke - has done much to boost morale at Stamford Bridge.


'Confidence is coming for us and the results are coming as well,' Willian told chelseafc.com.

'We have to keep going and keep fighting on the pitch. We lost some games and it's been difficult for us but we are trying to play better. We know we have to improve more and keep going in the same way.'

Mourinho was overjoyed by the backing of the Blues support, something which was in little doubt after successes in two spells which included the Premier League and Capital One Cup double last season.

The 52-year-old Portuguese signed a new four-year contract, until June 2019, on the eve of the Premier League season and his agent Jorge Mendes does not expect Chelsea to dispense with his services, despite six defeats in 11 Premier League games.

Mendes told BBC Sport: 'He doesn't need to prove anything to anybody.

Jose Mourinho (right) was overjoyed by the support he received from the home supporters at Stamford Bridge

Jose Mourinho (right) was overjoyed by the support he received from the home supporters at Stamford Bridge

WILLIAN IN NUMBERS 

CHELSEA

Appearances: 71

Goals: 8

'He knows what to do. Many people are saying these things but there is no chance (he will leave). He will solve the problem. He is the best. The reaction from the supporters tells you everything. They like him.

'Everyone - players, coaches - you have good moments and bad moments. It is impossible to find someone like him to solve the problem.'

Stoke ended Chelsea's League Cup defence on penalties last month and Mourinho will know the Premier League is where the results really matter, despite Wednesday's win putting the Blues in pole position to advance to the last 16 with Porto.

Mourinho's agent agent Jorge Mendes does not expect Chelsea to dispense with his services anytime soon

Mourinho's agent agent Jorge Mendes does not expect Chelsea to dispense with his services anytime soon

Chelsea next play at Maccabi Tel-Aviv on November 24 and Porto at home on December 9.

Their run of fixtures following the trip to the Britannia Stadium, for which Mourinho is currently banned after his dismissal at West Ham, and the international break looks like a fine opportunity to build momentum.

Chelsea's Premier League opposition before the end of 2015 is Norwich, Tottenham, Bournemouth, Leicester, Sunderland, Watford and Manchester United.

Mourinho was thrilled it was Willian who delivered against Dynamo, praising the Brazilian's improvement since he joined in August 2013 following spells at Shakhtar Donetsk and Anzhi Makhachkala.

Mourinho told Chelsea TV: 'If somebody deserves the winning goal I think Willian is perfect. His performance was complete.

'He keeps improving in every area of the game. It was an evolution over three years. Absolutely phenomenal.

'What he didn't have was goals. This season, most of them have been set-pieces, but even at that level he's scoring a few goals.

'This one put us in a good situation to qualify for the next round and to finish first, because if we win both matches we finish first.'