Goals from Christopher Nkunku, Pedro Neto, Levi Colwill and Marc Cucurella ensured the Saints left Stamford Bridge empty-handed on Tuesday evening – and head coach Enzo Maresca was pleased with the display produced by his squad after a difficult spell of results.

‘The win was very important because we know from now on every game is important,' the Italian said after the victory.

'We were happy with the performance but we were happy against Aston Villa as the performance there was very good, we just didn’t win. But tonight we are very happy.’

While those who started against the Saints undertook recovery work, the players who didn't were put through their paces on the grass at our Surrey base.

And with no game this weekend, Maresca and his coaching staff have the opportunity to spend quality time with the Blues players on the training pitches.

Our next fixture is an eye-catching one, however, as we travel to the Danish capital next Thursday to face Copenhagen in the first leg of our UEFA Conference League last-16 tie.

And with confidence restored, Blues full-back Marc Cucurella, who netted our fourth against Southampton, says the focus is now on staying consistent for the remainder of the campaign.

‘We need to keep going this way,’ he said. ‘Now is the most important moment of the season. We have a lot left to play for, but we have a lot of ambition and I think we want to win all the games.

'It’s always the same in life. You have good moments and bad moments. It’s about being calm in the tough moments, keep going, and remain focused. We need to be more consistent – this is the key.’

Another boost came on Tuesday evening with the return of Wesley Fofana to the match-day squad.

The French defender has been ruled out since early December with a hamstring injury but was named on the substitutes' bench against Southampton.

Fofana was one of the squad involved in first-team training today at Cobham as he continues his journey back to full fitness.