“Mature” Chelsea praised for solid showing by Xabi Alonso

Xabi Alonso has praised his Chelsea team after a good showing against Manchester United in the Premier League.

Xabi Alonso spoke to TNT Sport at full time of today’s win over Manchester United.

By the end, thanks to a penalty and a red card and one superb goal from Morgan Rogers, it was a comfortable win for Chelsea. But it could have been very different.

You can see the interview in the clip embedded here:

[Footage from TNT Sport]

Alonso on Chelsea’s “mature performance”

“We are happy. The game had different moments, the first half was close, a few chances for us and a few chances for them.

“We spoke at half time about keeping more control of the ball, saying that with the ball we can win the game. The start of the second half was much better. It was a mature performance in different moments.”

The Blues really rode their luck in the first half, and should have gone in behind. But you can’t fault the improvements they made in the second period, and he’s right that it did end up a “mature” display against a team who were primed to fall apart when given a chance.

In other news…

In his press conference, the manager praised Estevao and explained that he had had to bite his tongue in the press conference in midweek.

Alonso also had praise for a “top, top performance” from one of his midfielders who shone in place of Jordan Henderson.

Mike Penders needed some redemption moments after last weekend – and today he added a great save to Wednesday’s efforts.