The Blues boss acknowledged his side maybe weren’t as fluid in attack compared to recent weeks but was delighted with the maturity showed at the City Ground.

Mykhailo Mudryk’s early goal was cancelled out by Willy Boly’s header, which came following some poor defending from a free-kick.

Callum Hudson-Odoi’s curled strike in the second half looked as though it might be the winner before Raheem Sterling came off the bench to equalise and another replacement, Reece James, set up Nicolas Jackson for the winner two minutes later.

Pochettino said: ‘We scored a goal and then we conceded a goal that they cannot score in that way. Then it was really tough and it was an even game.

‘We were controlling the game but they were very dangerous in transition and had very good players that go into transition so fast, and we took some risks and they created some chances.

‘Always you need talented players and players from the bench who make a big impact like they did today and be a bit lucky to win games. Today we had all the ingredients.

‘I am happy because the important thing is always to believe and never give up. The team showed resilience and maturity to fight until the end. That is why I am so pleased.

‘Maybe we didn’t perform like we did against West Ham or Tottenham but in this type of game, you need to be more mature and play another type of football that is important too if you want to be in a higher position in the table.’

Chelsea’s win sees them move level on points with sixth-place Newcastle United, who have a ten-goal superior goal difference.

Manchester United are then three points and 15 goals behind us in eighth, with their game in hand coming against Arsenal tomorrow afternoon.

As for Forest, defeats for Luton Town and Burnley mean they currently sit three points and 12 goals ahead of the Hatters in the bottom three with only one game remaining.

Head coach Nuno Espirito Santo stressed their battle to secure Premier League safety was still not over but it would take a remarkable set of results for them to be relegated to the Championship now.

There was a party atmosphere at the City Ground in the first half and Pochettino was asked about the challenges that posed during his post-match press conference.

He said: ‘Today they were celebrating and full credit to Nottingham Forest for having another season in the Premier League, with all the circumstances. I want to congratulate Nuno and all the staff because they have done a fantastic job.

‘It is always difficult when you play a team that is celebrating big things and the players have freedom. They can give better performances and have more energy.’