Carlo Ancelotti was delighted with his side's never-say-die attitude after watching them earn a last-gasp winner at Stoke on Saturday.
It had looked as though we would have to settle for a point, the first time the maximum three would not have been achieved under the Italian, before Florent Malouda fired a low shot into the corner after four minutes of injury time inside the Britannia Stadium.
Having seen his side huff and puff for the entire second half in search of a winner, Ancelotti felt we were deserving of the win, our tenth straight in league action.
'I think that we got what we deserved, we tried to attack all the time and in the end we won the game, so I am very happy,' said the manager.
'It was a difficult game after Stoke scored first, but we had very good direction. At the end of the game we did very well, we had good pressure and good play, and we deserved it.
'This victory is very important because we started a very important period with the Champions League and we are now at the top of the league which is important. We have to continue and we have confidence with our play and there is a good atmosphere in the dressing room.'
Ancelotti also explained that we had not been caught cold by Stoke's physical and tenacious style, which earns them so many points at home.
'We expected it because we know them, Ray Wilkins and Paul Clement know this team and we were not surprised, we were ready for a physical game,' he said.
Opposition manager Tony Pulis was also impressed with Chelsea, and praised his own side's application.
'I thought we defended really well, they had lots of possession and they throw bodies forward. We've given them a game and mad them work for their result today,' he said.
'We haven't got the quality Chelsea have got, but our attitude and commitment will take us a long way.
'When you play against the best teams they wear you out, they keep the ball and your players have to work harder, and that's why a lot of late goals are scored in games.
'It's because players get tired and switch off. It's not unusual. The top four or five score a lot of late goals in games.'
Our late winner was laid on by sub Nicolas Anelka, who Ancelotti explained, had been rested after some heavy exertion on international duty, the same as Ricardo Carvalho and fellow second-half sub Michael Essien.
'They rest because they did two games on Wednesday and Saturday with their national team, and I had the possibility to change players and maintain a good condition and prepare them for the next game against Porto,' said the 50-year-old.
'It is normal that when you come in as a fresh player, other players are tired and they can do the difference. I think Kalou worked very hard for 60 minutes which was important for the team.'
You can re-watch the full 90 minutes exclusively on Chelsea TV from 6pm on Sunday.
It had looked as though we would have to settle for a point, the first time the maximum three would not have been achieved under the Italian, before Florent Malouda fired a low shot into the corner after four minutes of injury time inside the Britannia Stadium.
Having seen his side huff and puff for the entire second half in search of a winner, Ancelotti felt we were deserving of the win, our tenth straight in league action.
'I think that we got what we deserved, we tried to attack all the time and in the end we won the game, so I am very happy,' said the manager.
'It was a difficult game after Stoke scored first, but we had very good direction. At the end of the game we did very well, we had good pressure and good play, and we deserved it.
'This victory is very important because we started a very important period with the Champions League and we are now at the top of the league which is important. We have to continue and we have confidence with our play and there is a good atmosphere in the dressing room.'
Ancelotti also explained that we had not been caught cold by Stoke's physical and tenacious style, which earns them so many points at home.
'We expected it because we know them, Ray Wilkins and Paul Clement know this team and we were not surprised, we were ready for a physical game,' he said.
Opposition manager Tony Pulis was also impressed with Chelsea, and praised his own side's application.
'I thought we defended really well, they had lots of possession and they throw bodies forward. We've given them a game and mad them work for their result today,' he said.
'We haven't got the quality Chelsea have got, but our attitude and commitment will take us a long way.
'When you play against the best teams they wear you out, they keep the ball and your players have to work harder, and that's why a lot of late goals are scored in games.
'It's because players get tired and switch off. It's not unusual. The top four or five score a lot of late goals in games.'
Our late winner was laid on by sub Nicolas Anelka, who Ancelotti explained, had been rested after some heavy exertion on international duty, the same as Ricardo Carvalho and fellow second-half sub Michael Essien.
'They rest because they did two games on Wednesday and Saturday with their national team, and I had the possibility to change players and maintain a good condition and prepare them for the next game against Porto,' said the 50-year-old.
'It is normal that when you come in as a fresh player, other players are tired and they can do the difference. I think Kalou worked very hard for 60 minutes which was important for the team.'
You can re-watch the full 90 minutes exclusively on Chelsea TV from 6pm on Sunday.
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