Chelsea manager Rafa Benitez was quite pleased with his team's effort after the Blues sealed their passage into the semi-finals of the F.A. Cup with a 1-0 win over Manchester United.
The quarterfinal replay at Stamford Bridge was far from a classic, with both teams unable to create too many moments of quality.
However, the goal that won the tie for Chelsea, winners of four of the last six F.A. Cups, more than made up for an otherwise forgettable match, with Demba Ba providing a quite sublime finish to a perfect ball over the top from Juan Mata.
"It was very important for everyone to win," Benitez told reporters. "If not we're out. We worked so hard at Old Trafford and had chances to win the game, and in the end deserved to win. This was a great game and a great victory for us.
"I am really pleased because the team won, the players did a great job and everyone enjoyed the game.
"Before the international break we played against United, Steaua and West Ham. We were the best in the world.
"We lost against Southampton and were the worst in the world but today (Monday) we won and we're the best. You have to have balance. We knew it could be like this, we could win or lose, but we have to carry on.
Benitez stressed the priority was finishing in the top four of the English Premier League, although his team choices for the game against Southampton and United might suggest otherwise.
"The priority is the top four but we have to approach every competition trying to win," he added. "We had two games in less than 48 hours so had to manage the squad. We don't have too many players in some positions and we have to manage. I think we did it really well.
"We had injuries like Cahill and Ashley Cole today, so you have to approach every game carefully, make substitutions or rotate players and sometimes it will go well, sometimes not so well.
"We wanted to win against Southampton and use a lot of players, especially when you have another one in less than 48 hours.
"It's not playing one game in three days like we have for months, it is two games in less than 48 hours. We can't kill players playing them two games in a row, because then they get injured and we lose them.
"Our squad is not too big but we can manage if we don't have injuries. The problem now is that Cahill will be out for another 15 days at least, and Ashley the same so we have to manage with the other players.
"The race for the top four will be until the end of the season. We're in the top four with a game in hand, we're in a very good position, the semi-finals of the FA Cup and the quarterfinals of the Europa League. I think it's a great season at the moment."
