Cesc Fabregas’s 50th goal for the Blues couldn’t have been more timely as Chelsea took an early lead at Swansea, then clung on for the three points with often five at the back to protect Thibaut Courtois’s goal from marauding Welshmen.

Chelsea keep the pressure on Spurs, who can now feel the breath of their arch-rivals on the back of their neck.

“The only way to put a little pressure on Tottenham is to get three points in every game,” said a sparkier Tony Conte afterwards. “It won’t be easy. They play against Watford on Monday, but in football it is not simple to win the game, especially in this league. But for sure the situation is not in our hands at this moment.”

He was irritated that Chelsea didn’t make their first-half dominance tell with a few more goals, adding: “We could be more clinical and kill the game, but instead today we kept the game in the balance. For example, against West Ham we dominated and had many chances and scored only one goal and drew, and today could happen the same, Swansea could have drawn. We are paying this season for not being clinical.”

Captain Gary Cahill, who had a couple of minor wobbles but generally marshalled a stout defence, added: “They gambled, put a lot of men forward and made it difficult for us at the end. We needed the win, so a good performance and a good win. It was not always pretty but we dug in and got the result.”

Chelsea next play Liverpool at the Bridge on Sunday, hoping the Scousers will be cream-crackered after their midweek European exploits.