Ricardo Carvalho stepped out of the shadows to score one of the most important goals of Chelsea's season as the champions cut Manchester United's lead to three points.

It was only his third goal in the Premiership this season and his first since his header secured a 1-1 draw for Jose Mourinho's side at Old Trafford last November.

Mourinho said: "I think sometimes we go day after day for the big names. Big names make big headlines and players like Carvalho are sometimes are players people forget."

But the modest central defender played down one of the most significant contributions of the campaign.

Carvalho said: "It was important. We created more chances to win but we didn't score. In the end it was 1-0 and that was okay."

The defender is quite content to sit at the back and do his job without getting the same kind of adulation afforded to player's like Dider Drogba, Frank Lampard and captain Terry. But there is no disputing his talent.

"I'm not a player to kick, to shout a lot. I'm a player who likes to play, to have the ball, to help my other defenders. I like to be quiet, I don't mind," Carvalho said.

"When I have more confidence to play, I do this. I have more confidence here. But here I don't have to do so much as in Porto because we have great players in midfield and attack."

Chelsea's victory and United's subsequent defeat on the south coast set them up perfectly for their return leg against Valencia in the Champions League tomorrow night.

The tie is poised at 1-1 and Chelsea need to score but Mourinho is hoping that midfield powerhouse Michael Essien will be back to boost their chances.

Essien has been missing with a knee injury since the FA Cup quarter-final against Spurs at Stamford Bridge but he travelled with the squad to Valencia yesterday.

Mourinho said: "Michael has a chance to play, a little chance. He will be with us in Valencia."

Chelsea 1 Tottenham 0