The midfielder, who was captain on the day, was part of a changed system for the game at Stamford Bridge which gave the Blues a first win in seven outings. The team lined up with a back-three defence and wing-backs and in addition to the clean sheet kept, Wesley Fofana headed in a second-half header to secure the 1-0 victory.

‘We prepared the goal well in training because we know that Wesley is good in the air,’ Kovacic said after the game.

‘I think the formation worked really well. We prepared it good in training and we're used to this system since a long time, so it's a familiar one. We had a good game but the most important is that we continue.

‘The win was much needed,’ he continued as he also looked ahead to the midweek Champions League second leg against Borussia Dortmund. ‘The three points were important for us to lift the confidence to go into Tuesday with a positive mind. Unfortunately the ball does not want to go in at the moment but in the end, we scored and we're happy with the points but we need to continue now with this is a step forward.’

The Croatian international also had a word for the Stamford Bridge support against Leeds.

‘I felt the crowd was behind us the whole game and which is not easy because we are in a bad moment, 10th place is not good for Chelsea. It was a great atmosphere and we showed them that we can fight for this badge and we gave them the three points.’