Two fabulous strikes from Mateo Kovacic and Kai Havertz did the damage for the Blues on the road in Europe to cap what was a very impressive overall performance, although grit and character were also required to recover from Junior Adamu’s equaliser for the hosts early in the second half.

Late in the game, Graham Potter’s side also had to demonstrate defensive nous and composure to keep their lead intact in the face of a strong finish from the Austrian champions. Overall, it meant that we showed different facets to our game and secured a 10th away win in the Champions League in our past 14 matches (D2, L2).

• Watch highlights from the game

• The Potter analysis of the night

• Chelsea Women are also in Champions League action

Brave choices

As usual with Potter’s team selection, there were plenty of quizzical looks at the team sheet when the line-ups were announced, with the Blues starting without any conventional full-backs in the side.

That meant Raheem Sterling and Christian Pulisic operating as nominal wing-backs, tasked with providing the width and stretching Salzburg’s narrow defensive shape, while also recovering with pace and purpose to help out in defensive transitions.

Starting with two attackers at wing-back was a brave choice in such an important Champions League game away from home but it paid off emphatically as Chelsea dominated the first half, registering over 75 per cent ball possession, out-passing Salzburg 323 to 58 and forcing home goalkeeper Philipp Kohn into five saves, as well as taking the lead through Kovacic’s fabulous left-footed strike.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang had four of our six first-half efforts on goal, one of which would have capped a sensational move from back to front but for Kohn’s impressive shot-stopping.

Disciplined Jorginho

Sterling and Pulisic naturally spent the bulk of their time in the opposition half trying to break down a stubborn Salzburg defence, which meant a greater responsibility for Jorginho to stay close to the three centre-backs and provide cover.

The Italian’s average position over the 90 minutes was tight to Thiago Silva and he played an important defensive role in the side, making three clearances and three interceptions (the latter more than any Chelsea team-mate). In possession, he completed 51 successful passes and finished with an incredible 96 per cent pass completion rate.

Jorginho’s discipline meant Kovacic and Conor Gallagher could venture further forward, the England international playing close to Pulisic on the right and driving upfield with two successful take-ons and three key passes. Meanwhile, Kovacic’s goal made him only the second player to score his first five Champions League goals under different managers along with his fellow Croatian and good friend Luka Modric.

Flying Kai

Havertz’s third goal of the season was a majestic match-winner, curled beautifully into the top corner with the added aesthetic value of kissing the underside of the crossbar as it flew beyond Kohn.

It was reminiscent of the forward’s brilliant goal for Germany against England at Wembley last month and also his first in an official away Champions League game in 18 matches (notwithstanding that one in Porto), as well as his first for Chelsea scored from outside the box.

The goal came amid a generally lively performance from the 23-year-old, who completed three passes into the final third, won four aerial duels and accounted for almost a quarter of our xG in the game.

His 68 touches were the fifth-highest on the pitch and underlined how involved he was in the build-up play, along with a game-high three successful dribbles.

The stunning strike to settle the contest was peak Havertz – composure, awareness, perfect control and an unstoppable finish to make it nine matches unbeaten for Potter at the start of his Chelsea reign, the first Englishman to achieve that for 115 years.

Potter’s start now reads P9 W6 D3, with 16 goals scored, four conceded and five clean sheets. He is also the first Chelsea manager unbeaten in his first four Champions League matches since Roberto Di Matteo in April 2012, and we all know how that run ended…