Enzo Maresca was delighted that Chelsea showcased their ability to win ugly against Tottenham on Thursday, as the Blues boosted their hopes of Champions League football.
Enzo Fernandez's second-half header proved decisive at Stamford Bridge, as Chelsea claimed a deserved win over their London rivals.
Chelsea were the better team for long periods, with Guglielmo Vicario making a stunning save to deny Jadon Sancho late in the first half, after Micky van de Ven had hit his own post.
Spurs' only real response came when Pape Sarr squeezed a shot beyond Robert Sanchez from 25 yards out with 20 minutes to play, but that strike was disallowed following a VAR review, as the substitute was ruled to have fouled Moises Caicedo.
That VAR intervention – as well as another review that led to a Caicedo volley being chalked off – led to 12 minutes of second-half stoppage time being played, and Maresca was delighted by the way Chelsea navigated that period.
Speaking to Sky Sports, Maresca said: "The result is an important part because we are close to the end of the season.
"At the same time, we try to achieve the result playing in the way we want to play.
"At some moments the team was very good, then we don't like to finish the game like we did in the last five minutes. If we want to become an important team we need to win in a dirty way, ugly way and I'm quite happy.
"In the last 10 minutes I think the team showed effort, togetherness, spirit and it's something that we need."
The victory saw Chelsea leapfrog Manchester City and Newcastle United – both of whom won on Wednesday – to move back into the Premier League's top four.
Maresca knows Champions League qualification will be massive for the club's future, but he also wants to see his team continue their stylistic development.
"If you measure on the results, then for sure, if we achieve Champions League it's an important thing," the Italian added.
"But from my point of view, I try to see how we improve day by day and I can see, since the first day, that the team is getting better and better."
Chelsea defender Levi Colwill had more touches (74) and successful passes (58) than any other player on the pitch, producing a composed performance after missing out on Thomas Tuchel's first England squad.
He believes working with Maresca will help him reach the next level, saying: "Everyone always says I have a load of potential, but I don't think potential means anything. You've got to show it every game.
"This season, at times, I have. At other times, I haven't. I need to keep progressing and learning because I know where I can be and under this gaffer, he'll take me there, I'm sure."
yepacklrz
0
Thank God Coldwill knows his status and position.
koromamorlaisaffie00
1
winning is our mentality it doesn't matter how its come whether by playing good football or by the ugliest way
Pikcdekntz
1
jeedoprstz
2
Good game continue with the same spirit.👍
yacdklrtu
0
OMOB
1
First time that Colwill did not react after being fouled, I love the togetherness spirit but let use this to win matches please don't be fighting i knew soccer is team game. this kids that are beating us are also age mate with you guys, beat them by win 3points that we be more painful guys; Up Chelsea Up Blues
Gideonice
1
COYB
Richardoghale
3
None stop fighting on the pitch🎯💙💙💙🙏🏽
tutekntuz
1
Thoughts on the game 1. Welcome back Jackson, definitely not a good finisher but his runs and energy clearly makes a difference. 2. Cholobah for me today was class, my problem with Cholobah is can he give us this week in week out. CONSISTENCY. Contender for man of the match 3. Caicedo my man of the match. Total machine, just brilliant, clearly a contender with Cucurella for Chelsea player of the season. 4. Cucu will always be Cucu. Nothing less that 90% week in week out. 5. Sancho thank you for all your good work for the team and fighting for freedom but unfortunately it's a NO for us. We need a lethal left winger. Nico williams, Rafeal leao (though not my first choice due to his non-chalant style of play) and Ademola lookman will be good options. 6. Palmer looked far better than his performances before the break. The lad just needed rest. 7. Neto tends to do nothing but his running around and chasing every ball always gives him and edge. 8. Hmm Sanchez is a weapon fashioned against us. Thank God Sarr bullet was cancelled, a top top goalkeeper shouldn't conceed a goal from there. 9. Glad to have Madueke and Jackson back, we clearly had a poor run of form due to their absence 10. Finally Maresca has indeed improved this team from where we were last season. You could see the teams progress generally all season. Got his substitions spot on. Conclusively get us VICTOR OSIMHEN come summer.
tutekntuz
1
Thoughts on the game 1. Welcome back Jackson, definitely not a good finisher but his runs and energy clearly makes a difference. 2. Cholobah for me today was class, my problem with Cholobah is can he give us this week in week out. CONSISTENCY. Contender for man of the match 3. Caicedo my man of the match. Total machine, just brilliant, clearly a contender with Cucurella for Chelsea player of the season. 4. Cucu will always be Cucu. Nothing less that 90% week in week out. 5. Sancho thank you for all your good work for the team and fighting for freedom but unfortunately it's a NO for us. We need a lethal left winger. Nico williams, Rafeal leao (though not my first choice due to his non-chalant style of play) and Ademola lookman will be good options. 6. Palmer looked far better than his performances before the break. The lad just needed rest. 7. Neto tends to do nothing but his running around and chasing every ball always gives him and edge. 8. Hmm Sanchez is a weapon fashioned against us. Thank God Sarr bullet was cancelled, a top top goalkeeper shouldn't conceed a goal from there. 9. Glad to have Madueke and Jackson back, we clearly had a poor run of form due to their absence 10. Finally Maresca has indeed improved this team from where we were last season. You could see the teams progress generally all season. Got his substitions spot on. Conclusively get us VICTOR OSIMHEN come summer. COYB