Jose Mourinho pleased with back-to-back clean sheets

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has revealed that he has been impressed with his side's defensive work during their last two matches.

The Blues have struggled at the back since the start of the season, but consecutive clean sheets have been recorded in fixtures against Aston Villa and Dynamo Kiev.

Ahead of Saturday's match with West Ham United, who sit six points clear of Chelsea in the standings, Mourinho has insisted that the improvement is based on "good teamwork", rather than any outstanding individual performances.

The 52-year-old told reporters: "It is important. Not just the clean sheets but the way the team played to keep them. It was not a super goalkeeping performance. They were both based on good teamwork.

"I try the best decisions for the team and analyse opponents and what the team can be and try to reduce that unpredictability of every match but you are right that this is not about defenders.

"It is about the team as a team and they defended well in both matches."

Chelsea currently sit in 12th place in the Premier League table after winning just three of their first nine matches.