Jose Mourinho has sung the praises of his midfield 'miracle' John Mikel Obi – after a commanding performance at Upton Park this weekend.

The Nigerian, so often on the sidelines this season, stepped into Chelsea's revived three-man midfield and delivered a composed and influential performance as part of Blues cruise to a 3-0 win.

Mourinho said he has known Mikel for almost all of his professional career, and that he knows exactly what to expect from the 26-year-old.

“Mikel is Mikel,” he said. “Mikel plays today the same way he was playing when he was 18.

“He plays today the same way he played like I put him against Valencia in the quarter-final of the (2007) Champions League - he was 18 and I left Makelele on the bench and I played Mikel.”

The Portugese coach reeled off his midfield man's traits, making light of his striking record at the opposition end of the pitch.

“He's exactly the same: position, stability, control,” he said. “To score a goal is a miracle, but to lose a ball is also a miracle.

“In some matches he's very important. In his style of play and with the qualities he has, he's a very good player.”