Following a first half the visitors edged at Stamford Bridge, Chelsea grew into the contest after the break and had control of it without regularly threatening Andre Onana’s goal.

It felt like a moment of quality would be required to break the deadlock, and Reece James and Marc Cucurella summoned one up with 20 minutes remaining. We saw out the result comfortably thereafter, leaving Neto to reflect on the encounter and his emotions during and after it.

‘It feels great to win,’ said the winger.

‘It’s really important. It was a tough game against a tough team. It was a difficult first half where they started really well and could control the game, but in the second half we had the mentality and the effort to win the game.

‘It was difficult to break them down because they defend with a line of five. But I told Reece before the game he would get an assist! He’s an unbelievable player. And Cucu one more time scored the important goal, a beautiful goal.

‘It was a feeling of relief and joy because it got us near to our goal of winning the game. We defended really well. We kept a clean sheet. I’m really happy for the team, so let’s keep going.’

The result leaves us one win away from securing a top-five finish and with it, Champions League football for next season. It all comes down to next Sunday’s trip to Nottingham Forest.

‘Since the beginning we have done a really good season and our goal is to finish where we deserve to be, which is in the Champions League,’ stressed Neto.

‘We have to feel confident. We are in control of the situation. It depends on us. We just have to keep going and win the game that is coming.’