Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has praised Walsall after his side beat the League One side 4-1 on Tuesday night, calling the Saddlers' style of football the best that he has seen from any third-tier club.
The Blues progressed to the fourth round of the competition with the victory over Dean Smith's side at the Bescot Stadium in a game in which both sides had chances to score more.
Mourinho admitted that he was surprised by the quality of the Saddlers' football, and said that he was relieved to see his side successfully negotiate the tricky tie.
"I have years of cups in this country, and I have not found a team in League One playing the quality of football that Walsall tried to play," he told reporters.
"I analysed them before, I watched a couple of their matches in League One. I was surprised with the quality of their play. They are a different team to normal in League One - not so physical, but technically fast. They were very well organised.
"I am always worried against teams with great belief. After 3-1 we could feel like it was game over but before that everything was open. They created chances and fought hard."
Next up for Chelsea is a trip to Premier League bottom side Newcastle United on Saturday evening.
Tom Nightingale
