Ricardo Carvalho has been describing the solidity in the Chelsea side this week that allowed a 13th away league win of the season to be recorded, despite the absence of prominent players Frank Lampard, Michael Ballack and Didier Drogba.

Chelsea's away record is the best in the league, confirmed by the 1-0 victory at Everton.

With neither Ballack nor Lampard available, Carvalho lined up behind a midfield three of Shaun Wright-Phillips, Michael Essien and in the holding role, John Mikel Obi.

Despite Essien requiring treatment during the second half for a dizzy spell, he was able to complete the match and had earlier scored the deciding goal.

'Michael is on fire, he is playing very well in midfield,' reckons Carvalho. 'He is very important for us, he is strong, he likes to go forward, he likes to help his team. He never gives up.

'Also Mikel and Shaun Wright-Phillips, they help our team because they are strong in midfield and they are playing very well. Michael likes to go forward and score, also Shaun Wright-Phillips, Mikel likes to stay in position to keep our team more compact.'

'Behind them, I have to do my job. JT is strong in the air and sometimes I just have to cover him or Paulo [Ferreira].

'Everton have good strikers and they are strong but our four in the back played very well in that game and stayed compact so it was difficult for them. After Wigan, this game was very important for us. We had to show our character.'

There will be further change in midfield for the next time the team take to the pitch as Essien is suspended for the first leg of the Champions League semi-final against Liverpool.

Despite that, Carvalho, a former Champions League winner with Porto, is confident Chelsea can succeed over the two legs.

'Every time you play Liverpool, it is always a tough game for us and for them. It is difficult to play at Anfield but every big player wants to play in stadiums like that and this time we play the second game at Stamford Bridge - so it can be crucial for us.

'I have to win a trophy; we have always won a trophy so I hope this year as well.'