HARRY REDKNAPP admitted Jose Mourinho upset Saints' plans with a shrewd tactical decision.

The Saints boss had wanted Peter Crouch to match himself against the less physically imposing Chelsea centre-back Ricardo Carvalho.

But Mourinho pulled off a surprise by drafting in giant German Robert Huth alongside John Terry to counteract the aerial threat of Crouch.

It was only Huth's second start in the Premiership all season.

The in-form Saints striker still won plenty of ball, but was slightly less dominant than in recent weeks and unable to improve on his record of 10 goals in his previous 13 league and cup games.

"Mourinho made a clever move bringing Huth into the team," admitted Redknapp.

"That was a key decision - Carvalho is a fantastic player, but he's only 5ft 11ins or 6ft tall and I was looking for Crouch to pull onto him.

"That was what we spoke about before the game, but he brought Huth in."

Redknapp said Mourinho had words of encouragement for Saints' relegation fight and the St Mary's boss is hoping Chelsea add the Champions League to the Carling Cup and a probable Premiership title.

"I like Mourinho. He said 'I hope you win your championship and I hope we win our championship' which is right," said the Saints boss.

"They will win theirs and we have to make sure we win ours.

"They have got a big chance in the Champions League, but Bayern Munich won't be easy to beat.

"They (Munich) were impressive against Arsenal, they were very solid.

"The touchline ban (on Mourinho) is harsh. Surely he can still speak to someone on the bench?

"I feel the players like to see him there. He can put things right that are going wrong.

"With no disrespect they haven't got anyone else there who is very vocal, he's the main man.

"It will be a tight one but they are good enough to go through."

Redknapp also repeated his hope that his nephew, Frank Lampard will be crowned player of the year.

Lampard has netted 12 times for Chelsea this season - plus three for England - after a suprb 2003/04 in which he scored 20 goals from midfield (five for England).

He added: "I knew Frank would always be a top player because of how hard he worked at his game, his dad has instilled that in him.

"He has taken his game on and on and has become the complete midfield player.

"I get pleasure from seeing him. I've obviously seen him since he was a baby and he is fantastic.

"I hope he gets player of the year this season. It will be him or John Terry.

"I would like to see Frank win because he was second last year.

"I obviously speak to big Frank all the time and Jamie speaks to Frank (junior) all the time.

"Chelsea have got good players and they are strong defensively."