Andre Villas-Boas used last night's post-match press conference to lash out at what he sees as an overly critical press.

Speaking after Chelsea's 3-0 Champions League victory over Valencia, Villas-Boas said that Chelsea do not get the respect that they deserve.

"Nobody would have bet on us finishing top but it has happened against all the odds and this is a great win for the team," the Blues boss said.

"My players deserve the respect that they don't get. We've been continually chased by all kinds of people but here we've given all those critics a slap in the face."

Villas-Boas also said that he believes that there is a media bias towards Premier League leaders Manchester City.

"There has been a continuous persecution of Chelsea, continuous aggression for one club," he said.

"Manchester City are the only team in the country at the moment and I sincerely hope they qualify for the next round of the Champions League.

"But the attitude is 'If they qualify, they qualify, if not they don't'. That's not the same as with us."

Last night's 3-0 victory means that Chelsea qualify for the knockout stages as Group E winners.