Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho believes that Maribor deserved to earn a point against his side in their Champions League contest in Slovenia.
Agim Ibraimi gave the home team the lead before it was cancelled out by Nemanja Matic, but after dominating the final 30 minutes, Eden Hazard missed a penalty to squander a chance to win the game.
However, after criticising a mixed performance from his players, Mourinho took time to praise the efforts of their opponents, who are competing in the Champions League group stages for just the second time.
The 51-year-old told Sky Sports News: "I think it's important to praise a team who have completely different power than we have. They gave absolutely everything and fought fantastically well for their point.
"They have fantastic supporters, it was a big day for them so I think that it's important to praise them."
Chelsea will qualify for the last 16 with a win over Schalke 04 in their next match, while Maribor need a minimum of four points from their final two matches to give themselves a chance of progression.
Darren Plant
