The Croatian put in a fine performance as Chelsea defeated RB Salzburg 2-1 in Austria, ensuring our safe passage into the knockout stages from Group E.

• Chelsea top Champions League group

• Potter praises courageous performance in Austria

• Gallagher reflects on proud moment and important step

, born 75 miles to the east of Salzburg in Linz, set the tone with a sublime instinctive left-footed drive to open the scoring before an equally impressive strike from restored our lead after Junior Adamu has pulled the hosts level shortly after half-time.

For Kovacic, his goal held extra significance in not just helping us record an important victory but for being in the country of his birth.

‘It’s nice to score in the place where I was born,’ explained Kova, with a beaming smile.

‘My parents are from here, my friends as well and it’s a special occasion for me. I’m very happy about the goal and of course getting the win.

‘Everyone says I don’t score many! This one was very special for me, it was a nice goal and it was important that the team got the win. Who scores the goals in the end is less important, the win is the main thing.’

The midfielder praised the performance of our Austrian opponents, who go into the final Champions League matchday still harbouring ambitions of joining us in the knockout stage, but felt we were good value for the three points.

‘We knew that they would come out strong in the second half,’ added our No.8. ‘We made a little mistake from our own play and we conceded, but we worked hard to get the second goal and we managed to see out the game and get the win.

‘It’s important that we are through to the knockout stage but now we must put our focus onto the next game.’