Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca has insisted that the manner of their 2-1 victory over Fulham on Sunday afternoon "does not change the season".
The Blues went into the West London derby at Craven Cottage sitting in seventh place in the standings and at risk of being pulled to within three points of eighth position.
After Alex Iwobi's well-taken first-half goal, that was the scenario facing the visitors before Tyrique George and Pedro Neto netted in the 83rd and 93rd minutes respectively to pull off a dramatic turnaround.
Not only have Chelsea ended a winless away run that had lasted since December, they have moved back into fifth place and within two points of Newcastle United in third spot.
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Maresca plays down Chelsea win
Speaking at his post-match press conference, Maresca acknowledged that Neto's decisive goal had kept the club in the hunt for Champions League qualification.
Nevertheless, he refused to entertain the notion that a positive spin can be put on the campaign through one goal, insisting his team had already been on an upward trajectory.
The Italian said, as quoted by football.london: "The goal from Pedro doesn't change the season.
"I said already, in last three years have never been in the Champions League spot. The goal doesn't change it. It's already a good season. The goal gives us a chance to be there."
He added: "Very pleased about the way we want to play, the style, there are many different things. The way we want to play, we are there. It's good for the players to score that goal.
"Fortunately it was not [Marc] Cucurella again [laughs]. I'm very happy for Tyrique. He works hard. Pedro, we all know that Pedro is better on the right side but we also have Noni [Madueke] and Jadon [Sancho], so I try to decide game by game."
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What next for Chelsea?
After four matches in the space of 11 days, Maresca will be pleased that Chelsea are not back in action until April 26.
His side play host to Everton in the Saturday lunchtime kickoff and have an opportunity to create an 11-point lead over eighth spot in the table.
The meeting with the Toffees is then followed by a Premier League showdown with Liverpool coming either side of the two-legged Conference League semi-final with Djurgarden.
Darren Plant
