The celebrations were wild.
As Pedro Neto’s 93rd-minute stunner completed a defiant Chelsea fightback at Fulham, there was no doubt about the importance of the strike.
Chelsea leapfrogged rivals Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest to return to the Premier League top five, a spot which would earn the club qualification for the Champions League next season.
And, after weeks of negativity around Chelsea’s form and hostility from sections of supporters towards head coach Enzo Maresca, the players and fans celebrated as one – with the scenes carrying on long after the final whistle.
Chelsea’s first away league win of the year was sparked by the introduction of 18-year-old academy product Tyrique George, with his 83rd-minute equaliser the prelude to a dramatic finale.
And it all came just when Chelsea’s top-five challenge was in danger of fizzling out.
Had Chelsea drawn, we would be talking about a club without a win in nine away matches, seventh in the table with goalkeeper Robert Sanchez’s struggling and several goalless forwards.
But, instead, Maresca was able to speak in bullish fashion about his side’s season.
“Chelsea in the last two years have never been in the Champions League spot and this season we spent the whole season there,” he said.
“Today doesn’t change my view, it is already a good season and can become very good if we finish in the Champions League spot.
“But for sure today was an important win because it is a derby and can give us a chance – it was probably also the most difficult win – because our rivals all played yesterday so it is was must-win.”
After celebrating on the touchline, Maresca went down the tunnel rather than join his players and coaching staff in soaking in an important victory with the 3,000-strong away support.
He will know Chelsea’s first-half performance left a lot to be desired at Craven Cottage, with the late goal showing the mission to return to the Champions League after two seasons away is still on a knife edge.
