Wednesday 29 October 2014 08:05, UK
Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho insisted he knew his side would find it tough against Shrewsbury after the Blues' 2-1 win at the Greenhous Meadow.
Didier Drogba put the Premier League leaders ahead three minutes after half time but the Shrews were level in the 77th minute when substitute Andy Mangan scored 84 seconds after coming on.
It was difficult from minute one to the last minute.
But Jermaine Grandison's 81st-minute own goal broke Shrewsbury's hearts and gave Chelsea victory - a result Mourninho was pleased with despite how tough the Blues made it for themselves.
"I didn't change my feelings (that) the game was going to be difficult," Mourinho told Sky Sports.
"It was difficult from minute one to the last minute. I still had (Eden) Hazard to make a change but I was worried about the possibility of going to extra-time.
"We needed to do that change so I delay that change, could be a change to break the game definitely but when you have the possibility of extra-time you have to control the situation which he did so I'm very pleased with the players, I was not expecting a different match.
"It wasn't desperation (to make the changes). It was showing respect for our club, our fans, Shrewsbury fans and the Capital One Cup.
"It is not good for the competition if you come into it thinking you can lose."
After the match, Drogba was quick to praise the performance of the League Two hosts - a side some 72 places below Chelsea in the Football League ladder.
"Fantastic team, fantastic opponent," Drogba added.
"I think they give everything and I think they show today why they deserve to be here tonight and they made a very difficult game for us really."
