We had 16 attempts to Ajax’s 10, with four of ours on target compared to two of theirs.

Michy Batshuayi, who came on with 20 minutes to go, was responsible for not only the winning goal but also a game-high four shots, three of which were on target. It was the Belgian’s ninth goal off the bench for us since signing in 2016.

Mason Mount had three efforts, and Marcos Alonso and Christian Pulisic two apiece.

Ajax had slightly more of the ball overall (52.1 per cent), but as the game opened up in the second half we enjoyed the greater share of possession (52.6 per cent).

Alonso spent the most time on the ball for us (6.3 per cent), and he also had the most touches for us (86).

Both teams’ pass completion rate was 80 per cent. Our central midfielders Mateo Kovacic and Jorginho were our most accurate passers, finding a fellow Blue 93 per cent of the time.

Kovacic made a Chelsea-high 50 successful passes (he misplaced just four). Alonso was next with 44.

Despite coming off the bench for the final third of the game, Pulisic made three key passes, including the assist. Callum Hudson-Odoi also made three.

Our top dribblers were Willian, Mount and Fikayo Tomori with two successful take-ons each.

Alonso and Tomori won four aerial duels, and Cesar Azpilicueta and Tammy Abraham three apiece. Overall we came out on top of 59 per cent of the aerial duels contested, with nobody more dominant in the air than Tomori (80 per cent of duels won).

The young England defender also led the way for clearances with eight. His centre-back partner Kurt Zouma made five, with the pair registering two interceptions each. That figure was bettered only by Jorginho’s three.

Azpilicueta was our top tackler on the occasion of his 350th Chelsea appearance, winning three challenges with a 100 per cent success rate.