Conor Gallagher headed in an early opening goal at the Vitality Stadium, but Bournemouth equalised with a long-range effort and we had to be patient, leaving it late until our substitutes made an impact with two assists and a goal as we netted twice in quick succession.

First Benoit Badiashile volleyed in Hakim Ziyech's free-kick delivery for the Frenchman's first Chelsea goal, before Joao Felix slotted in from fellow substitute Raheem Sterling's pass to make the final score 3-1 with the Portuguese forward's first touch of the ball after coming on.

However, while we weren't too far from having to settle for a draw in Bournemouth before the late onslaught from the Blues, Frank Lampard felt our performance was deserving of all three points.

'Today was a nice step forward,' said Lampard. 'I thought we controlled the game. Bournemouth will always give you some problems here, they’re a good team with their top-end of the pitch, playing through you quickly, a lot of energy in their team, at set-pieces they’re dangerous.

'So we couldn’t feel safe at 1-1 but I felt we controlled it. There was maybe a sign with us controlling the first half but without maybe the killer instinct. We were running inside their box in the first half, we had a lot of overloads on the side of the pitch and as this team develops I think you have to be more killers at the top end of the pitch. There were some nice individual performances today and a positive direction.'

Lampard was particularly pleased with the impact of Sterling, Ziyech and the rest of his subs...

'In terms of the subs, I think all the subs we made had an impact. Ruben and Raheem coming on that bit earlier. Ruben gave us a bit of physical presence and calmness on the ball. Raheem was involved in the goals.

'Azpi comes on and gives us leadership, Hakim came on and got an assist and played really well. Opinion can always change in a period, but they are two players in Hakim and Raheem that want to do well as football players and they’ve got big talent, both of them.

'Sometimes if it’s form and there’s been a lot of underperformances at times this year, it’s temporary and I think their class is permanent. I’m pleased for them having an impact today when they came on.'

He also hopes this return to winning ways in the Premier League will give the players' morale and confidence a deserved boost...

'They should enjoy it and we’re happy because when you don’t have that feeling for a while it gradually knocks you down. I walked in to that, it was very evident in the dressing room from coming in that there was a lot of picking up that needed to be done and unfortunately you need results for that, to keep you stepping forward.

'That’s been tough and the lads are all human and effected in similar ways when you’re not winning games or you’re not at their best. The only way to get through that is to fight and to work through it. In this period it will be a challenge to the players that will make them better and stronger as they go on.

'So absolutely they should enjoy it tonight and have a beer or a glass of wine or whatever to do. But we cannot take our foot off the pedal in terms of trying to take steps forward until the end of this season.

'It’s important and today you saw individual performances in Badiashile, Gallagher, Madueke and other players in the team that are big steps forward because they are individuals who will be a big part of Chelsea going forward. That’s a good sign.

'Our fans were fantastic today. I personally appreciate their support. I appreciate we had a moment at the end on the pitch where everyone feels good for a day. I think that’s important to build that connection between the players and the fans.'

It wasn't all good news, though, with Lampard updating on Ben Chilwell after the left-back limped off in the second half...

'It’s a hamstring injury. We don’t know if it’s serious but with a hamstring injury at this stage of the season it’s clearly a worry for the last few games.'