Čech happy to be in control

Magnificent seven
What is equally remarkable is that a lot of the recent clean sheets have been achieved with key members of the defence absent through injury. Against AS Roma, goalkeeper Petr Čech and Ricardo Carvalho came back into the starting XI and it was no surprise that the London team recorded another shutout in winning 1-0 thanks to John Terry's late header. It was their fifth in their last six home fixtures in the UEFA Champions League, or put another way, their seventh in succession, home and away, in group stage games.

No shots
It proved a quiet return for Čech because the Italian visitors, despite retaining possession well and displaying clever touches, failed to put a shot on target. The Czech international says that is not the best way for him to regain match fitness but has nothing but praise for Chelsea's defenders. "It's not something to aim for when you return from injury [to have nothing to do] but I enjoyed the game and I'm really happy with the win," said Čech, reflecting on a Group A table which shows Chelsea holding a three-point advantage at the top. "At the moment we are in control of games and we don't allow our opponents many chances. Roma have brilliant players in their midfield but we didn't allow them many opportunities to shoot."

'No difference'
The goalkeeper paid credit to John Mikel Obi who has impressed in the role that Claude Makelele made his own at Stamford Bridge before his summer move to Paris Saint-Germain FC – patrolling in front of the defence and helping to close the routes to goal. "He's been outstanding," said the 26-year-old, "and not many balls are getting past him. John can defend and he can distribute the ball as well. You have to be a great player to replace someone like Macca but he has come into that role and you can't see the difference."

Patience required
Čech also believes it was important that Chelsea demonstrated another side of their game after scoring freely in previous matches. "We needed to be patient and wait for our chance," he added. "It came late but the important thing is that it came. At half-time the manager told us to stay patient and play the way we were. It was important to show that even if we are not playing that well, we still have the mental strength to win games like this 1-0 and to fight."