Jose Mourinho has revealed that Liverpool counterpart and protege Brendan Rodgers sent him a congratulatory text for masterminding Chelsea's 2-0 win at Anfield.

Goals from Demba Ba and Willian in stoppage time of each half earned the Blues three massive points in the Premier League title race on Sunday afternoon.

Rodgers was critical of Mourinho's allegedly defensive tactics in his post-match interviews, but the Chelsea boss has told how his former Stamford Bridge colleague has been more noble in private.

"You know pundits are pundits and I don't want to comment a lot," he told reporters. "Brendan is a manager and is somebody that I consider my friend. I met him a long time ago when he was a very young coach coaching kids.

"Of course, I know his words after the match but I also know his words today and today he told me congratulations for a great victory and a great performance. Especially because he's somebody I consider a friend and I like, I prefer to forget the words after the match and I keep the words of today.

"He's an intelligent guy, I believe that after the match he watched the match on video and I think now he understood what happened."

Chelsea's victory took them to within two points of Liverpool in the table and meant that Manchester City will deny the Reds a first championship in 24 years if they win their remaining three games.