The Blues controlled the opening period of the Premier League fixture but appeared to be heading into the interval level. That was until a moment of trickery from Raheem Sterling led to Issa Diop bringing down the winger and a penalty being awarded.

Cole Palmer stepped up and – as has been the case throughout his early Chelsea career – was nerveless from the spot. He went left. Bernd Leno went right. And the Blues went on to secure victory despite late pressure from the visitors.

Pochettino was happy with the battling qualities shown in the Blues' performance but highlighted the opening 30 minutes of the second period as our best spell of a close-fought contest.

He said: ‘I think in the second half, we started really well. I think we played really good football for 30 minutes and should have scored another goal or two to kill the game.

'But when you don’t and the game is open, and always in the last minutes you can concede a few actions: set-pieces, wide free-kicks, corners.

'They had good potential from these situations but we defended well and I think it was good for us to suffer a little bit in the end as I think this type of game helps us grow and builds confidence in the way we are working.’

The victory was our third in succession in the Premier League – and our fourth in a row at Stamford Bridge. Those respective runs are indications of the improvements being made by a young Chelsea side.

'It's important for the team and the way we are building in this process,' explained Pochettino.

'We need to feel confidence, trust, and also accept the criticism after we are beaten by Middlesbrough because we are Chelsea. That is part of the process, part of our reality. The most important thing is we’re strong and we know the way we need to keep working.

'The players today were very professional and I was very happy with the first 30 minutes of the second half, I think that is the way we need to play with freedom and we linked very well.

'Then it was good to see this young team defend in the last 15 minutes in the way we did. We were fighting and doing everything to keep the three points.’