Jose Mourinho has hailed Chelsea's 2-1 Champions league victory over Dynamo Kiev as a "big relief" after Willian starred for the Premier League champions at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday night.
Sources told ESPN FC on Sunday that Mourinho had two games to save his job as a home defeat to Liverpool prolonged the Blues' worst-ever start to a Premier League season.
Chelsea headed into Wednesday's European clash in desperate need of a victory, and they started well with Aleksandar Dragovic turning Willian's cross into his own net to give the hosts an opener 34 minutes in.
Dragovic made amends by scoring Kiev's equaliser 13 minutes from time following an Asmir Begovic error, but Willian netted a superb 25-yard free kick seven minutes from time to keep Chelsea on course for qualification to the knockout stages.
"The win is a big relief," Mourinho said. "The players deserve to get compensation for their hard work. Many players are coming to their normal levels, despite having feelings as a team when negative moments come -- and they are coming every game.
"The difference today was that we had confidence in the negative moment. The negative moment is always arriving for us.
"We had that good reaction against Stoke in the League Cup and today we conceded that goal with 15 minutes to go. I think the team was strong mentally, they kept trying and I'm happy with that."
Of Willian's match-winning display, Mourinho said: "He's playing very well, not just today. He has been playing well for a long time.
"Everybody did their job very well. It is fair to look at Willian because of his work rate, quality on the ball, participation in the first goal and quality of second goal."
Mourinho acknowledged the Stamford Bridge crowd chanting his name during Tuesday's match, thanking the fans for their warm reception after the game.
"The fans recognise I'm a good pro, brought a great moment and have had great memories," the Portuguese coach added. "Until my last day in this club, if that is in four years, 10 years, 15 years, I will give everything to them."