Chelsea's Mohamed Salah celebrates after scoring his sides 6th goal of the game during their English Premier League soccer match between Chelsea and Arsenal at Stamford Bridge stadium in London, Saturday, March 22, 2014 (Photo: AP)
Egypt winger Mohamed Salah was elated after scoring his maiden goal with Chelsea, paying tribute to Jose Mourinho whom he described as the best coach in the world.
The 21-year-old put the icing on the cake in Chelsea’s 6-0 drubbing of London rivals Arsenal on Saturday after neatly rounding off a breakaway in the 71st minute.
"It's my first goal with the team (Chelsea), so I hope it will be a good start," Salah told Qatari-owned beIN SPORTS after the game.
"I congratulate myself and all the people who supported me following my arrival here. Thankfully, I’m living up to the expectations of the technical staff and I hope I will score more goals."
Salah has made few substitute appearances after joining Chelsea from Swiss side Basel last January on a four-and-a-half year deal for a reported fee of £11 million.
He replaced Brazilian playmaker Oscar seven minutes past the hour mark against Arsenal, making an instant impact.
He beat the offside trap to latch onto a long ball and place a low shot beyond the reach of Arsenal keeper Wojciech Szczesny.
‘Best coach in the world’
The Egyptian international was full of praise of Portuguese tactician Mourinho, who pumped the air with his fist following his goal.
"My relationship with Mourinho is very good. He motivated me before the game and told me that I would score today," Salah said.
"I am working with the best coach in the world."
Mourinho reiterated his belief that Salah would be a key Chelsea player next season.
"For Salah it's more difficult, he's younger and coming from a different environment and culture. He needs even more time but we believe he will be an important player for us next season," he said on Chelsea's official website.
"He played 25 minutes today, 25 minutes against Newcastle and 45 minutes against City, that's good for him."
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