Just three days after a gruelling cup final at Wembley against Manchester City, the Blues were back in action in another big match, as Tottenham came to the Bridge in the Premier League on Tuesday evening.

Saturday’s exertions were bound to take their toll, but backed by the fierce derby atmosphere inside the Bridge, Chelsea took the lead through a fine Enzo Fernandez strike before Andrey Santos extended the advantage.

We had to stand firm towards the end when Tottenham pulled a goal back, but the home team defended resolutely to secure all three points.

‘I thought the atmosphere was exceptional tonight,’ said McFarlane at the end of the game. ‘I thought you could feel the energy.

‘I thought it was exceptional at Wembley as well, and I think it always helps the team when we get that positive energy and it drives us on to do more.

‘There were lads out there tonight that were dead on their feet, but the crowd, the enthusiasm and the drive from the crowd, drives them on to just push a little bit extra, and I thought that was clear tonight.’

The was particularly important on Tuesday, with the atmosphere injecting some energy and adrenaline into the players’ tired legs, especially as Spurs’ advantage in being given the weekend off began to show towards the end.

‘It was good to get the win,’ continued our interim head coach. ‘It was obvious from minute one that we didn't at times have the energy and the intensity that we needed. We had it in patches.

‘It was always going to be tough with the turnaround from the cup final. With the physical and psychological load that put on us, we knew that was going to be the case.

‘I thought we played some really nice stuff in the first half, thought we deserved the two-goal lead when we got it, and then it was about when Spurs obviously showed more energy.

‘They had more time to prepare for the game, more rest. You could tell that was coming and we just needed to dig in for the result like I thought we did well at the end.’