Thiago Silva became just the sixth different Chelsea defender to score home and away against the same opposition in the same Premier League campaign, and the first to do so with our great rivals Tottenham in opposition.

It was not only the satisfaction of finding the net that left Thiago so pleased at the full-time whistle, when Blues fans serenaded him on his walk around the pitch, and he explained why afterwards.

‘We have played three times against Tottenham this year and won them all without conceding,’ he said.

‘That’s important for us because it’s been a long time since we didn’t concede, which we haven’t been happy with at all, but we stayed defensively focused, and we managed to score two goals. That made us calmer, and I enjoyed the match.

‘It was an incredible atmosphere, it was magnificent. To score a goal in a derby and for the supporters to chant your name is something very important to me. It makes me very happy. I hope I can give a lot more to this club because they help me a lot.

‘Scoring is a reward for everything I have done on the pitch,’ added Thiago.

‘It’s not the most important thing - that’s at the back and not conceding goals - but it makes it an extra special day.’

Thiago Silva said Harry Kane’s push on him in the build-up to a disallowed Tottenham goal in the first half was a ‘clear foul’ and a decision the referee got spot on. That was almost the only moment of danger in an assured defensive showing.

After such a frantic period filled with fixtures, most of the squad will now have some time off with two weeks until our next game. Thiago Silva is heading home to represent his country in a couple of World Cup qualifiers, but otherwise it’s a chance to take a breath and regroup for the final months of what promises to be another thrilling finale to the season.

‘The preparation for the match was important because we had three or four days to prepare and work on things we haven’t been able to,’ noted the 37-year-old.

‘In the past month we have played 11 matches which is too much for us, but it’s like that. It’s been tiring but we must continue.

‘I am going back to Brazil to play for my country, but the other players have 10 days off to rest mentally and physically and come back stronger for the most important part of the season when we need to keep going and keep working.’