For 45 minutes at Stamford Bridge, little separated the two sides. Possession was evenly shared and while we registered seven shots, three of which were on target, United managed nine, with Mike Penders worked on three occasions.

However, after the break, it was a different story. We broke the deadlock in the 50th minute through a fine solo goal from Morgan Rogers and doubled our advantage when Cole Palmer converted from the penalty spot after Lisandro Martinez was sent off for a foul on Wesley Fofana.

Naturally, United's reduction to 10 men influenced how the contest played out, but we had 67 per cent of the ball in the second period and fired 11 shots at the United goal. The visitors, in contrast, managed just three.

Alonso emphasised after the win that, at the interval, he had stressed to his players the importance of controlling the game through possession, which he felt his players implemented impressively.

‘I think that there were different moments in the game,' the Blues manager said. 'The first half was intense, with momentum for both sides. United had their chances and we were close as well. At half-time, we spoke and the reaction in the second half was better.

'We started quite well, got the lead, and we looked in better control. After it went 2-0 and the red card the context of the game changed, but it was not easy.’

Alonso continued: 'When we spoke at half-time, we said we were going to win this game with the ball, so the improvement has been with the ball. The message was to be better with the ball and to not give away that much.

'We changed some tactical things, but we were more comfortable on the pitch with better control. When you feel better with the ball, normally the better you are defending as well.

'So I think that reaction, that change, has been important for the feeling and the goal as well.’

Alonso opted to start without an orthodox striker against United. Pedro Neto was tasked with leading the line, while Palmer, Rogers and Estevao Willian operated effectively behind the Portuguese international.

'We need to be creative sometimes to find solutions with the players available,' said the Blues manager. 'Pedro has worked really hard in that position. It’s not new to him, linking up with the players around him.

'There were moments [in the first half], but I would say, especially at the start of the second half and what we had spoken about at half-time, the reaction was good.'