The head coach joyously celebrated Mykhailo Mudryk’s stoppage-time equaliser when it had looked like we would be in for a frustrating day. More was to come as when our flawless spot-kicks could not be matched by the visitors.

‘It was a really good game,’ was Pochettino’s verdict at the final whistle.

‘We suffered when we conceded, it was our mistake. I said to the players to always believe until the end. The goal was possible because we believed.

‘Sometimes in football you need some luck, and it came. Credit to the players because they were fantastic. We are so happy. The fans and the club deserve this sort of feeling. It's a big motivation. We are waiting for the draw tomorrow.’

Pochettino explained why Enzo Fernandez and Levi Colwill were withdrawn early…

‘He asked to go out because he was a little bit sick before the game. He suffered some problems in his stomach. He tried, he wanted to play and see if it went well. It didn’t go so well so that is why he had to come off.

‘My perception was Levi was a little bit tired and we wanted to put some more offensive players like Malo on and provide more energy in the side,’ added Pochettino.

‘That was why we went for the option for Malo in the second half, but Levi is going to be ready for the next game.’

The head coach analysed the broader context of an outcome like tonight’s…

‘These types of games and the way we went through are important for the development of the team. It’s the same as games when you don’t play well. Both are really important for this group to evolve and develop.

‘When you saw the whole squad, including players who were injured and wanted to share their happiness in the middle of the pitch, it looks like we are a healthy group of players that only need time.

‘Our responsibility is to guide them and create a platform for them to really improve. With time we are going to create a very good team that can compete, increase the competition, and be in the place Chelsea should be in.’