Hiddink finds winning ways with homage to Mourinho

Yesterday, in his first game in charge, Guus Hiddink led Chelsea to a 1-0 victory over top four rivals Aston Villa.

In a victory that could prove crucial in the race for Champion's League qualification Chelsea dominated early possession and it payed off in the 19th minute when Nicolas Anelka chipped Brad Friedel following a great passing move and some superb skill from Frank Lampard to evade two challenges before threading it through to the Frenchman.

Despite an Ashley Young free kick striking the bar Chelsea continued to dominate the half and on another day could have been made to regret the numerous missed chances. The teams went in at the break 0-1.

After the break Aston Villa were much sharper. Their continued pressure forced good saves three excellent saves out of Petr Cech- in the end though the three games in six days seemed to take its toll as they couldn't find their cutting edge. Chelsea hung on and could have extended their lead through Drogba and Bosingwa.

The final whistle sounded to jubilant cheers from the Chelsea fans who knew the significance of this result; it was a result reminiscent of the Mourinho era, a 1-0 victory built on solid foundations with incisive movement upfront.

The similarities were uncanny, as Hiddink reverted to the trademark 4-3-3/4-5-1 which Mourinho utilised so effectively. Drogba looked back to his best deployed straight down the middle with Kalou and Anelka as wide forwards, who can drop back when necessary. Anelka's goal also looks to have put to rest the idea that he can't play with the powerful Ivoirian.

With Hiddink in place until the end of the season Abramovich looks to have found at the third attempt what he has been missing ever since the Portuguese master's departure: another 'Mourinho'. And, if results continue improving Chelsea fans can have no doubt that their billionaire owner will try to keep the Dutchman in his services, even at the cost of his beloved Russian national team.

Whether Hiddink is prepared to separate from his project before the 2010 world cup in South Africa is a different question entirely.


Managerial views:-


Hiddink: "We played good football the only thing is we forgot to finish it off with a second goal"

O'Neill: "Overall I'm delighted with the team, delighted with the effort, and I think the mid-week game obviously didn't help us"