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Graham Potter sees Chelsea’s 1-0 win over Leeds United as “something to build on” ahead of a “massive” Champions League clash with Borussia Dortmund.
Wesley Fofana’s first Premier League goal eased the pressure on head coach Potter following a miserable run of one win in 11 matches.
Chelsea had suffered three consecutive defeats without scoring a goal before stopping the rot against relegation-threatened Leeds at Stamford Bridge on Saturday.
The Blues face Dortmund at home in the Champions League on Tuesday, needing to overturn a 1-0 deficit in order to reach the quarter-finals.
Potter hopes a much-needed win over lowly Leeds will just be the start.
He told BBC Sport: “I’m delighted for the players and supporters. We’ve had to suffer. It’s been a challenging period. I thought we played well in the first half and attacked well.
“We were a team who had something to lose so it was great character from the players, they cared and showed togetherness in the team. It gives us something to build on.
“People care. Players want to win and supporters want us to do well, 1-0 in the Premier League, anything can happen, when you consider the run we’re on, it’s not surprising [there were nerves]. The players fought for the win and it allows us to keep moving forward.”
Potter added on the showdown with Dortmund: “We just have to focus on the game. You can’t control what the noise is outside. It’s a huge game for us and a huge opportunity. We have to fight for it.
“Every game is important. It’s a confidence boost and a morale boost. We have a massive game on Tuesday.”
Potter was full of praise for Fofana, who marked his return to the side with a towering header from Ben Chilwell’s corner to secure all three points.
The former Brighton and Hove Albion boss said: “Wesley Fofana has been a big miss for us. He’s one of the players who has been out for a while.
“He is physical, brave with the ball and does what he does well in the box which is attack the ball. It gave us a win.”
