Ivanovic lauds team spirit

[BlueLion. 21,491]

Branislav Ivanovic has hailed Chelsea's character following his goalscoring heroics at Blackburn on Saturday.

The Serbian defender grabbed a last-gasp winner for Carlo Ancelotti's side to seal a 2-1 victory at Ewood Park and keep the Blues firmly at the top of the Premier League table.

Ivanovic heaped praise on the entire team's display after they were forced to fight back from 1-0 down following Benjani's early opener for Rovers.

"It was a very difficult game for us," Ivanovic told Sky Sports News. "We were 1-0 down but after that we tried to show our character.

"(The comeback) showed the character and we tried to stay focused on the game and concentrate after going 1-0 down."

'Substitute'

Ancelotti was preparing to substitute Ivanovic before the stopper found the back of the net, but the 26-year-old insists he would have had no problem making way for another player.

"I think every game is a different story and you have to be ready for anything," he said. "But I scored and we have to stay focused now."

The Blues are currently five points clear at the top of the standings but Ivanovic insists they cannot afford to lose focus.

"We have a lot more games to come and we have to stay focused on every game and every minute on the pitch," he added.

"Of course it was very difficult today but we will try."

http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11668_6477378,00.html

[LDN Blue 7,903]

that's one way to avoid being subbed.

[Term-X 7,891]

I like how Carlo told ferreira to go warm up, to give Ivanovic motivation. Bosingwa & Alex will have to work hard to keep Ivanovic out the team.

[hunaz10 21]

I was more Impressed with the cross.... I play football everyday more than for fun & even in a amateur football club - have tried to cross the ball several times (failed on every occasion) But man that cross was something very special from Yury,,,,, chipped the ball over a tight defense, even the ball was stuck between his legs...!

f*** it was special

[Milan 17,854]

I laughed while watching his interview on the official Chelsea website. Ivan was asked what he was doing up there befoe the goal and he started laughing An incredible man this Ivan.

[True_Blue 469]

Ivanovic is fucking brilliant i love him.

[Steve 10,227]

Class act, i was wearing my Ivanovic away top as well. I ran around my house pointing at the back of my top hahaha

[Rambo 1,729]

I was more Impressed with the cross.... I play football everyday more than for fun & even in a amateur football club - have tried to cross the ball several times (failed on every occasion) But man that cross was something very special from Yury,,,,, chipped the ball over a tight defense, even the ball was stuck between his legs...!

f*** it was special

Yuri's cross was class indeed