"Forty-five minutes is a long, long time to play with ten men," Chelsea official website quoted Mourinho as saying after the match.

"It was time to win, not to play beautiful football, not to score three or four goals, it was time to get the three points. For the spirit, we deserved the happiness of getting the points."

A stunning goal by Ivorian striker Didier Drogba two minutes before the interval sealed the precious win over Liverpool.

Chelsea played the majority of the second-half with 10 men after German midfielder Michael Ballack was sent-off for a rash tackle on Malian midfielder Mohamed Sissoko.

The Portuguese boss believes Ballack's first straight red card in his career was deserved.

"The rules are very clear, and the red card is a deserved red card. Ballack arrives late, the ball is not there any more and he stamped on Sissoko."

Meanwhile, Liverpool coach Rafael Benitez rued missed chances which cost his side the encounter.

"I think we deserved more from the game. In the first half we created clear chances through (Dirk) Kuyt and (Steven) Gerrard," he was quoted as saying by Liverpool's official website.

"But one player won the game for Chelsea with a fantastic goal," the Spaniard added.