Chelsea overcame their midweek disappointment away at Middlesbrough to beat Fulham in the west London derby.
The Blues showed solidity and a clear desire to carry out Mauricio Pochettino's gameplan to edge a close match on Saturday afternoon.
It wasn't the exciting, free-flowing football those in the stands were hoping to see, but important to put Chelsea back in the race for Europe
Chelsea must now build on this display with the second leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final coming up in 10 days.
Enzo Fernandez is back
The 22-year-old midfielder struggled over the festive period, his first since joining Chelsea late last January, but looked back to somewhere near his best today.
After suffering from a painful hernia, the World Cup winner looked classy in possession and set up big chances for Armando Broja and Raheem Sterling.
He linked play well and physically was on the front foot with his pressing.
Pochettino has been frustrated with a player signed to be one of the stars for £107million last January, but this could be his turning point.
Colwill performs as defence solidifies
Levi Colwill was isolated and exposed at Middlesbrough as a victim of a lack of defensive balance at Chelsea.
It made him look poor and the decision to play the 20-year-old so regularly out of position was righty questioned.
However, he performed the role much better against Fulham, up against a slower winger in Harry Wilson, and in a more dominant Chelsea display.
He attacked well and was extremely aggressive in his duels. He's a top young player who will sometimes struggle as he learns a new position in the most unforgiving environment.
Malo Gusto was lucky
The one moment where Chelsea looked out of control was as Gusto flew into a challenge on Willian.
The former Blues winger was just as lucky not to be seriously injured as Gusto was only to get a yellow card from Anthony Taylor.
Gusto was sent off for less against Aston Villa in September, but a VAR check deemed the tackle "not reckless or dangerous".
That was very debatable as the Blues also got a penalty decision in their favour, which could have gone either way.
