Chelsea overcame their midweek blues at Middlesbrough to beat Fulham in the west London derby.
Les Bleus showed solidity and a clear preference for implementing Mauricio Pochettino’s game plan to win a tight game on Saturday afternoon.
It wasn’t the exciting, fluid football that those in the stands expected to see, but it was vital to get Chelsea back into the race for Europe.
Chelsea must now build on this display with the second leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final coming up in 10 days.
The 22-year-old midfielder struggled during the Christmas season, his first since joining Chelsea at the end of January, but now feels close to him.
After suffering a painful hernia, the World Cup winner looked sublime in his possession and created great chances for Armando Broja and Raheem Sterling.
He played well and physically up front with his pressing.
Pochettino was frustrated by a player signed to be one of the stars for £107 million last January, but this may be his turning point.
Levi Colwill has been isolated and exposed at Middlesbrough as a victim of a lack of defence at Chelsea.
This made him look deficient and he rightly questioned the decision to play with the 20-year-old so out of position.
However, he played his role in a very opposite manner at Fulham, unlike a slower winger, Harry Wilson, and in a more dominant role at Chelsea.
He attacked well and was extremely aggressive in his duels. He’s a top young player who will sometimes struggle as he learns a new position in the most unforgiving environment.
The only time Chelsea looked offside was when Gusto darted to challenge Willian.
The former Blues winger was also fortunate not to suffer a serious injury, as Gusto only received a yellow card from Anthony Taylor.
Gusto was sent off for less against Aston Villa in September, but a VAR check deemed the tackle “not reckless or dangerous”.
That was very debatable as the Blues also got a penalty decision in their favour, which could have gone either way.
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