Fresh from scoring the match-winning goal in the west London derby on Saturday evening, Mason Mount reflected on what the result might mean for Chelsea’s season following a stuttering run of form, insisting character and togetherness remained key traits for the Blues to continue showing.

The contest at Craven Cottage was pretty one-sided, even more so after the hosts were reduced to 10 men late in the first half, but Frank Lampard’s side had to show patience and persistence before finally finding the breakthrough 12 minutes from time.

It was Mount who crashed in an excellent half-volley, displaying composure and technique to keep the effort low and on target to seal an important three points and notch his second goal in as many games.

Only N’Golo Kante has played more Premier League minutes than the 22-year-old this season and, despite a vocal minority of doubters on social media, it is goals and games that Mount believes matter most in proving himself to those that really matter.

‘It’s a footballer’s life,’ he said of the online narrative around his place in the team. ‘You’re always going to have people that doubt you but I’m not one to look too much into it.

‘I’m just focused on performing on the pitch and playing as much as I can. The most important people, I just try to make them proud. I let my football do the talking, and scoring goals and putting in performances will do that.’

The Blues have faced criticism in recent weeks as results have slipped but ended the weekend just five points off the top four and champions Liverpool. Mount believes the group mentality has stayed strong during a difficult December and, with a quick turnaround ahead of our next league outing, has called for this positive momentum to be maintained.

‘We went through a tough period but the most important thing is to show that character you need to get out of it when you’re down,’ he continued. ‘That comes first and foremost from the gaffer. We do it for him.

‘We’ve been very together the last couple of weeks and hopefully this is the turning point. Now we move on to Tuesday [against Leicester City] and attack that with the same mentality.

‘It’s going to be a tough game - we know how good they are but we played well there last season and got a good result so hopefully we can do that again.’