Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho described yesterday's win over Liverpool in the Capital One Cup as "really big" after his side battled past the Reds at Stamford Bridge.
In what was more than just a semi-final game, it was Branislav Ivanovic's extra-time winner that sends Chelsea to Wembley's final, in a game where referee Michael Oliver showed nine yellow cards.
"My view is that it was a big semi-final, two big games," Mourinho said after the game.
"This one was really big, with both teams at their limits and the result on the edge.
"The result speaks for itself, 1-1 there, 0-0 here, extra time and one goal to decide.
"I always say to the players that during a game normally a difficult moment will arrive. That moment arrived in the first half and we coped with that.
"Liverpool were good, Liverpool were better than us, Liverpool were creating and we coped with that.
"We had to be intelligent and wait for the moment to be in control of the game. That came in the second half; we were dominant, created chances and should have scored.
"[Liverpool goalkeeper Simon] Mignolet was amazing. When we scored the goal in extra time the team showed me maturity, control. It's good for our improvement to play against a very good team and we did that.
"Chelsea supporters were fantastic today, the victory is for them. Last weekend's defeat was ours, not the supporters."
Meanwhile, the Portuguese says Diego Costa's alleged stamps during the game were not intentional, accusing Sky Sports pundit Jamie Redknapp of blowing the accident out of proportion.
"I think this time I cannot be punished to say that there is a campaign on the television with a certain pundit," he said.
"He is saying Diego Costa 'crimes'. This guy must be nuts.
"Great campaign. We know how much that pundit loves Chelsea and particularly loves me.
"These guys, they have a very good seat, very good money, no pressure. They are always right. They never lose, they always win, but they have to be fair and they have to be honest.
"Forget it. Let's go to Wembley. Come on. I don't know his name, because when I see him I switch off the television."
