The German defender was sensational in our 1-0 victory over Spurs yesterday, heading in the only goal to make it 3-0 on aggregate, helping us reach a cup final for the sixth successive season - the first time in the club ‘s history.

‘Over the two legs, it was definitely [a fair reflection]. The home game we were in total control. In the second game game in the second half they were dangerous but that was because of our lack of focus,’ Rudiger said post-match.

Speaking of his goal, Toni did acknowledge there was some luck involved. ‘I just know it hit my head and I was hoping it goes in,’ he said, smiling. ‘This is what I'm working on, it's good - to get in those positions like that.

‘Last time I played here I scored. It's important to help the team and to lead by example.’

The Berlin-born centre-back was involved in a penalty incident towards the end of the first half, in which on-field referee Andre Marriner adjudged he had fouled Pierre-Emile Hojberg inside the area. VAR subsequently reversed the decision.

‘Either way it can happen, you never know,’ Rudiger said of the incident. ‘I was very confident. As you can see on the footage, he stepped over his leg and fell down. I was calm.'

The goalscorer also spoke of his current Chelsea form and looked ahead to the games coming up – where we compete in the Premier League and FA Cup again before heading to the Club World Cup in early February.

‘I am enjoying it. It's about chapters. I enjoy chapters. So far, it's the best time of my career. There's a lot of tough games to play, the schedule is getting busier and busier. We have to be ready for it.’