An early strike from Conor Gallagher and a hat-rick from Cole Palmer sealed victory for the Blues at Stamford Bridge. Yet those facts do little to tell the tale of an incredible contest.

Chelsea trailed as the game moved into its 99th minute. Palmer then stepped up to convert a penalty and level the contest. Better would come 82 seconds later as the England international rifled home a winner and Stamford Bridge erupted in jubilation.

The wave of emotion created by that moment had largely subsided when the players arrived at Cobham this morning – and recovery work was the focus for those who started against United.

Palmer was chief among that group. The 21-year-old's hat-trick took his goal tally in the Premier League this season to 16. Only Manchester City forward Erling Haaland has scored more.

‘It’s a big win and a massive momentum boost for the fans and the team – it's put everyone in a good mood,' Palmer said after his match-winning heroics.

'To go from 2-0 up to 3-2 down was a bit of a blow, but after scored in the 99th minute we knew there were two more minutes. We saw the gaffer say it as I looked over after I scored. We thought, 'Let’s go for it'.

‘I didn’t know what to do when I scored [Chelsea's third]. I was buzzing. My first hat-trick. It was madness at the end.’

Gallagher had got Chelsea off to the ideal start with a fourth-minute strike. He was replaced by Noni Madueke late on, a change that ultimately paid off as the winger won our late penalty which sparked the most unlikely of fightbacks.

'it was a pretty bonkers game,' said Gallagher. ‘It’s great to get the three points in the end and the lads showed a lot of character to keep playing and keep trying to get the goals in the end.

‘Credit to the boys and Cole as well. He’s been unbelievable for us. He’s got so much confidence, he’s so cool and calm. He’s been fantastic from the first day he showed up and I can’t speak highly enough of him.’

It wasn't just in the gym that players undertook their recovery work, with the likes of Axel Disasi, Benoit Badiashile and Malo Gusto heading into the pool as the focus shifts to Sunday's trip to Sheffield United.

The players who didn't start against Manchester United were out on the grass under the watchful eye of head coach Mauricio Pochettino. He wants his players to harness the energy created from last night's victory at Bramall Lane on Sunday.

‘In the space of a few days, we played one game where we showed such low energy, and in the other we started the game in the way that we need to start every game,' he said at his pre-match press conference.

‘I think it is a point to realise that we must be ready. On Sunday, we need to be ready. We need to think about recovering and approaching the game in Sheffield with the right mentality because it’s going to be tough.

‘We already know that when we play against teams like Sheffield United, Burnley or Nottingham Forest, the teams that are battling relegation, we need to match their energy, desire and hunger. It is going to be a good opportunity if we are improving.’

Pochettino added: ‘I think the effect of the meetings after Burnley should help us be in the right place now. We will be thinking it is going to be really tough. We need to respect Sheffield [United], respect ourselves, and match them in their energy. That is up to us.

‘If we are clever and smart, we are going to use the experience to improve. We have to be consistent and perform, then win or lose that is football. But if you’re at the right level and prepare yourself to compete, we have the capacity and quality to be close to winning.’