Thomas Tuchel claimed it was the “sweetest feeling” to beat Tottenham – and believes Chelsea have got their buzz back.
The German masterminded a 1-0 win over Jose Mourinho’s sorry Spurs to give his Blues career lift off.
Tuchel was parachuted in to save Chelsea’s season after Roman Abramovich grew concerned about the alarming dip in confidence under Frank Lampard.
But the new manager has sparked a dramatic turnaround in form – picking up seven points from a possible nine in his first three games – with Thursday night’s win seeing them leapfrog Spurs and move up to sixth place.
He said: “We have a smile on our face even if we work hard and suffer together. Working hard together, experiencing victories like this is the sweetest feeling you can get and that brings you joy.
“It is a real pleasure to see them on the pitch and in the dressing room. I like this group, I feel a strong group with a strong bond and good atmosphere and it is necessary to push each other and that we really lift the feeling that we are together.”
Chelsea are now four points off Premier League champions Liverpool in fourth place.
But Tuchel warned against becoming distracted by the pursuit of Champions League qualification.
“I cannot care less because I cannot influence other results and I cannot influence what the other teams do,” he said ahead of Sunday’s trip to Sheffield United. “I know there are too many teams between us and the Champions League places.
“It is maybe boring, and I can understand, but I simply know no other approach than to take it step by step.
“Once you bring your head up and look [at] more than one game, you lose your focus.”
