Andriy Shevchenko launched double strike to send Chelsea through to the League Cup final with a 4-0 win against Wycombe Wanderers at Stamford Bridge in London Tuesday.

Shevchenko had been put on bench by Mourinho in recent weeks after failing to live up to his 30 million pounds price tag, but he went some way to redeeming himself with two clincial goals against the visitors from the fourth tier of English professional football.

Former AC Milan striker Shevchenko, making just his second start of 2007, also set up the first of Frank Lampard's two goals in a semi-final second leg victory that sealed a 5-1 aggregate triumph.

Afterwards Mourinho paid tribute to Shevchenko, telling Sky Sports: "I demand commitment, effort, being aggressive, working and playing for the team, working with the ball, working without the ball - that's what I demand.

"The team is happy with him. It's not just about me being happy with him."

Shevchenko, speaking in halting English, added: "Good game. I'm very happy to reach the final. It's important the team plays very, very well."

Shevchenko's treatment has been central to a reported breakdown in relations between Mourinho and Roman Abramovich, Chelsea's billionaire Russian owner.

Shevchenko was the only player ignored by Mourinho when he consoled his players as they walked off the pitch after Saturday's defeat against Liverpool, further fuelling talk of a rift between the Ukrainian and his manager.

(China Daily January 24, 2007)