ROBERTO DI MATTEO hailed Chelsea’s fighting spirit as Victor Moses’ last-minute winner floored Shakhtar.
Sub Moses struck in the fourth minute of stoppage time to keep the holders’ Champions League hopes alive.
And boss Di Matteo said: “It was a crucial win and the result was very much down to the old Chelsea spirit. “We knew we needed to score from that final set-play and we did — but qualification will probably go down to the last kick of the last group game.
“In terms of the timing of the winning goal, you could argue there was an element of luck. “But when you play against a good team like Shakhtar and win, you deserve it.”
Hero Moses, who was sprung from the bench on 80 minutes, added: “I am delighted. The three goals I have scored for the club so far have all been with my head!”
Fernando Torres put Chelsea ahead early on before Willian replied.
Then came a moment of long-range magic from Blues’ Brazil star Oscar after Shakhtar keeper Andriy Pyatov had stormed off his line.
But Willian struck again after the break to set up a tense finish before Moses’ thumping header.
Di Matteo also defended his shock decision to leave out captain John Terry following his recent four-match domestic ban. He said: “I thought we needed players who were 100 per cent match-fit for a game like this.”
