Naturally the red card significantly changed the game. Prior to Conor Gallagher’s dismissal in the 28th minute for two bookings in quick succession, we had enjoyed 70 per cent of the possession, had the only shot on goal and won a penalty eventually ruled out for offside.

After we went down to 10 men, we had a 34 per share of the ball, ceding possession to Leicester and trying to force them wide.

In response to the red card, Thomas Tuchel dropped Ruben Loftus-Cheek into a deeper role alongside Jorginho as we moved from a 4-2-2-2 to a 4-2-2-1. It stayed that way until half-time when the boss brought Cesar Azpilicueta on and reverted to three central defenders, with Reece James and Marc Cucurella operating at wing-back.

The move worked as we enjoyed our best period of the game. Raheem Sterling scored twice, found for his first by Cucurella and then set up superbly by James. Between his goals, Sterling also hit the post, Cucurella the provider on that occasion.

James confident and calm

Tuchel spoke in the build-up to the game about the versatility James offers him, and the 22-year-old proved yet again why he is regarded as one of the best young talents in the country, irrespective of whether he plays at right-back, as in the first half, right wing-back, as in the second, or on the right side of a back three.

No player in blue spent more time in possession than James, and his willingness to hold the ball when a man light was matched by the accuracy of his passing, registering an impressive completion rate of 91 per cent, the same figure as Jorginho.

Reece’s assist was one of two key passes he made, and he also had two shots, striking the woodwork before the break.

Who else stood out?

His was not the only impressive individual performance. Of course, playing with 10 men for over an hour requires collective will and discipline, but standout showings to quell the opposition’s threat are also required.

Thiago Silva was one such player, earning sustained applause from the Stamford Bridge faithful late on. His five successful tackles was bettered only by Youri Tielemans, who made six, and the Brazilian also won four aerial duels, a joint game-high figure with Kai Havertz, who put a real shift in up front.

In goal, Edouard Mendy saved four of the five Leicester shots on target. Our efficiency in that department will have pleased Tuchel, who has been calling for a greater clinical edge in front of goal for a while. Of our seven attempts yesterday, two were scored, two hit the woodwork and another was on target.

Set-piece solutions

As a team we won more tackles and aerial duels than Leicester, and made nearly twice as many clearances. That physical determination was backed up by technical and tactical savviness.

After Gallagher’s red card we committed only five fouls, limiting the visitors’ threat from set-piece situations. That is an aspect Tuchel said we must improve after goals conceded to Tottenham and Leeds, so he will have been happy to see his players win the first ball from nine of Leicester’s 11 corners yesterday.

Next, he will want a greater threat from corners of our own, one from Cucurella having led to the red card incident that, thankfully, did not prove decisive.