Jose Mourinho glows as ‘selfless’ Didier Drogba keeps Chelsea in driving seat

Jose Mourinho believes Didier Drogba’s dynamic display in Chelsea’s 3-0 win over Tottenham proved the Premier League leaders have the strength in depth to last the pace in the title race.

Mourinho’s side maintained their six-point lead at the top of the table thanks to a throwback performance from Ivory Coast striker Drogba, who scored his fifth goal of the season at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday to make the absence of suspended leading scorer Diego Costa a mere footnote.

Drogba, 36, showed there is still plenty of life in his ageing legs by laying on Eden Hazard’s 19th-minute opener, then netting with a clinical finish in the 23rd minute before substitute Loic Remy’s fine finish in the 73rd minute sealed Chelsea’s seventh successive home win.

Even Mourinho, who brought Drogba to west London from Marseille for his first spell with the club in 2004, was moved to single out the Blues legend for special praise after a performance which showed Chelsea should have enough firepower in reserve if the injury-prone Costa falters.

“Yes, it is remarkable. Didier is a team player, one of these with an old school mentality. Not selfish, not vain, a humble guy who plays for the team, fights for the team. Fantastic,” Mourinho said.