Mikel
Obi again played into the hearts of Chelsea and African fans on Sunday
when his goal spurred the Stamford Bridge team to victory in the English
FA Cup against Derby County.
The Nigerian indeed made the Sunday game
a very remarkable encounter as he scored wearing the Chelsea captain’s
band while making his 300th appearance for the London club. It was
Mikel’s fourth goal for Chelsea, with three of those coming in the FA
Cup. Michael Essien had started the match as the captain but handed
Mikel the band when he was substituted by Hazard in the 55th minute.
The goal started with Eden Hazard who
won a free-kick on the left and it was left to Willian to fire a
free-kick into the goalmouth. The delivery was good from the Brazilian
and Mikel thumped a header past goalkeeper Lee Grant from five yards out
at the 66th minute to send the Chelsea fans into a frenzy.
Another Brazilian, Oscar, wrapped things
up for Jose Mourinho’s troop barely five minutes later when his strike
was too powerful for Grant to handle. Chelsea will now face Stoke at
Stamford Bridge, as the fourth round draw was concluded minutes before
kick-off.
The goal gave the Nigerian statistical
record that should not make a striker embarrassed, but Mourinho again
had wonderful words for his defensive midfielder. Mikel now averages a
goal in 75 games in a Chelsea shirt.
Mourinho said via Chelsea FC tweet, “I
changed Essien for Hazard because we had Mikel and I felt we didn’t need
two players there. Mikel plays in an intelligent and safe way, and
there was a smile on my face when he scored. It was like a winning
goal.”
On the general match report, the
Portuguese added, “It was difficult. In 1st half we played quite well
but still 0-0. The players got the message we needed more intensity.”
Meanwhile, Super Eagles coach, Stephen
Keshi and his Ethiopian counterpart, Sewnet Bishaw, backed Mikel for the
African Player of the Year award. The award ceremony is scheduled for
Thursday in Lagos. Both coaches spoke on Saturday.
PUNCH
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