Chelsea survived a scare before seeing off new boys Birmingham 3-2 in a thrilling encounter at Stamford Bridge to set a new record of unbeaten home league games.

Michael Essien's second half goal proved to be enough to see off Steve Bruce's brave battlers and ensured Chelsea made it 64 games unbeaten at home in the Premier League.

They go one match ahead of Liverpool's efforts at Anfield between 1978 and 1981, although Mourinho insisted before the game that anything less than a win would not be worth celebrating.

Jose Mourinho insists Chelsea were only focused on beginning their Premier League campaign with a win against Birmingham and not on setting a new English record of unbeaten home games.

The Blues beat Birmingham 3-2 at Stamford Bridge on Sunday to make it 64 games unbeaten at home, but Mourinho was more concerned with the three points.

"The objective was to win, not to get the record," Mourinho told Sky Sports News.

"But, in this moment we have the record.

"One day we have to lose at home, but the important thing is that we are very strong at Stamford Bridge.

"One day if somebody beats us at home we will start again for the first, second and third victory and go again for a good number.

If Mourinho's home Chelsea record is combined with his unbeaten run at his former club Porto, the Portuguese tactician can surpass 100 home matches without defeat in the Blues' next Stamford Bridge fixture against Portsmouth.

Mourinho admits he is eyeing that special landmark.

"For me it is something very very personal, but I am at 99 and if my players can give me one more against Portsmouth then I will celebrate 100."