Chelsea boss Rafael Benitez would prefer to win with style, but for the moment hard fought three points are all that matters. Four successive Premier League wins have lifted the Blues back into the top four and have raised hopes of what appeared an unlikely title challenge.
"You could see the character of the players at Everton because in the first 25 minutes we were not in the game, but little by little we were controlling and creating chances," he said.
"We knew we could create even more and I was really pleased with the performance of the team.
"We showed the level of our team and the options we have and I think it was one of our most difficult games.
"This is the process of understanding each other, my players have to understand what I want.
"Our idea is to play the same way, playing good football if we can but if not at least try to win showing character.
"Japan (the World Club Championships) was important for us because we were there a long time training, we had at least two or three training sessions together where we could do new things.
"We are still making some mistakes which we have to manage but the team is much better.
"The main thing for me is the attitude of the players: they are keen to learn.
"We had a discussion among the staff and we are really pleased with the way they train and behave every day, and that is really important for the future."
