Sarri: We played well, but did not kill off the game

Maurizio Sarri looked relieved that his side won after last week’s league debacle at Wembley against Spurs.

“I think today it was really very important the result, he said.

“We started very well. Then after 1-0 the players had a good application of attention, but we didn’t kill the match. But today we were a little tense, nervous.

“Of course it wasn’t easy the days after Tottenham for me and the players. But we have talked too much about that match. We lost it after three months and a half, it can happen. It was important to react. In the mind of the players there was only the result.

“I don’t know. I think against Tottenham 11 players played very badly. It was natural to give them another chance.”

Much has been said about the role of N’Golo Kante and Sarri said of the World Cup winning France star: “ I think he played very well, he defended very well. He needs to improve a little more from the tactical point of view, but that is natural. Last season he played with two or three midfielders but in central, so he needs to improve (tactically).

“Today was better, because when the ball was on the other side of the pitch it was better. He has to stay very close to Jorginho, otherwise it is a problem.”

It appears that Ruben Loftus-Cheek has finally convinced Sarri of his worth in the side and can probably expect more minutesnow - Chelsea face Wolves on Eednesday and the Man City on Saturday.

Loftus-Cheek came on as sub and scored.

Sarri said of the 22-year-old: “In the last three weeks he has solved me problems. In the Europa League it was the best performance from the tactical point of view. I put him on the pitch without problems and sure about his performance.”