A wonderful strike from Mason Mount helped Chelsea complete a 1-0 victory over Liverpool this evening and move back into the Premier League top four.
The England international struck in an opening half in which the Blues were the bigger threat. Thomas Tuchel's side also had a Timo Werner goal chalked off harshly by VAR.
Chelsea were defensively sound in the second period as Liverpool attempted to mount a fightback. The only save that Edouard Mendy had to make was a routine one from a Gini Wijnaldum header.
The victory is undoubtedly the biggest of Tuchel's short reign at Stamford Bridge and puts the Blues in control in the race to secure Champions League football.
We'll have all the thoughts from the Chelsea boss on tonight's result below.
And that's all from Tuchel
Short and sweet. We'll have a full transcript of Tuchel's thoughts shortly.
Timo Werner form
I demand 100% in every training, I don't allow self-pity. Timo is full of talent and plays for one of the best clubs in the world, in one of the best leagues in the world. So there is no need for him to worry too much.
So if he puts in the effort, puts himself in a state of mind to play on the highest level. We are not counting the minutes [to goals] and for me and my approach it is not an issue.
Back into the top four
We have been in the top four, after the win against Newcastle. So can't lose focus by looking at the fixtures. All we can do is prepare every match at the highest level because this league doesn't allow you to drop your level.
There are still eleven games to go, nothing is decided. We are in the race, closed the gap very quickly which is a big effort. Now we're in the middle of the race and we need to keep going. But it's the competition in this league, the competition in the Champions League, and the competition in the FA Cup that means we can's sit back.
Chelsea's unbeaten record
I'm super happy. If I'm honest I still have regrets about the draw against Southampton because I was not happy we dropped two points and the way we dropped them. But in general, I'm happy. From the first day I've felt part of the club and it's a pleasure to coach the team. I can feel the energy and attitude that is needed. They are prepared to sacrifice for each other.
I have never judged games because I am happy for every win because I know how hard it is to keep on winning and keep clean sheets. So I am very happy because I know what it takes.
Tuchel on Christensen
Andreas stepped in in the middle of the first half against Tottenham and from the first minute he's been impressive. He's brave, strong in individual challenges and plays with confidence. He's been a big part of our performances.
And we're still waiting for Tuchel
Not quite sure what's happened to the Chelsea head coach. He should be with us shortly.
Thomas Tuchel to Sky Sports
Excellent moments with the ball, moments where we needed to suffer but we never lost the attitude, discipline, desire and courage to defend. It was a well-deserved win, a big performance and result. No, we don’t plan matches we just plan the performance. The point is when you play at Anfield you have no time to think so we told the players, we need your best performance but the things we do today we need to do them on the highest level. We did this excellently, it was a very good team performance. I am very happy. The performance was very complex, we were strong in transition, defending, winning second balls counter-pressing and that was the key. We knew we ended to be top in all situations of the game.
More from Jurgen Klopp
I think that these games are decided in moments, there are always like this. To get these moments back you have to fight and at a different level as well. That's what I told the boys.
Jurgen Klopp's thoughts
I will try to be as honest as possible when I tell the boys what I saw tonight.
Jurgen Klopp to Sky Sports
"The individual quality of Mason Mount in that moment made the difference. It was a tight game, intense game. Both teams invested a lot. That is it pretty much."
A statement win for Tuchel
Chelsea have had good results under the German so far, but this was a little different. This was a statement victory brought about by smart coaching, as Sam Inkersole explains here.
Who was your man of the match
Mason Mount? Andreas Christensen? Or someone else? Let us know below.
Mount speaking to Sky Sports
It’s very tight in the top four [race], these are the big games we need to win along with the other games. We have been on a good run, keeping clean sheets but not scoring enough or made enough chances so tonight, to get the goal, maybe we could have had a couple more.
The game plan was to press them high, not let them have the ball, they can control it here so we had to be brave, push up forward and win the ball back up high, and most of the time, their line is quite high so the run in between is on, that's where the goal came from.
Chelsea player ratings
So many good performances from Chelsea players today. Here's how I (Adam Newson) rated them.
Good evening
Well, what a performance that was from the Blues. Mason Mount's goal put them in control and they never really looked like losing from that point on.
It's a win that moves them back into the Premier League top four and sets Thomas Tuchel's side up for the remainder of the campaign.
We'll have the German's post-match press conference very shortly.
