For all their off-field problems, Chelsea got the job done on the pitch at Norwich.
A 3-1 win on the back of another traumatic day was no small feat for Thomas Tuchel – even if his side were made to work much harder for the three points than looked the case at half time.
But perhaps that made victory even more impressive.
In the face of a Norwich fightback after Chelsea had swaggered to a two-goal first half lead, the European champions dug in when they might have folded.
In spite of the uncertainty surrounding the club amid the sanctions placed on owner Roman Abramovich, they showed commendable unity – killing off the home side’s challenge through Kai Havertz’ late strike.
It saw them strengthen their hold on third place and continue an impressive run of four straight wins in the Premier League.
If the dramatic news surrounding their owner was playing on the minds of Chelsea’s players, it did not show in the first half at Carrow Road as Norwich were brushed aside.
It felt like Dean Smith’s relegation-doomed side were the perfect opponents on such an occasion – rolling over in the face of a team that looked determined to make a statement.
The club had been left reeling by news earlier in the day that Roman Abramovich had been sanctioned by the UK Government – his assets, including Chelsea, frozen.
Only a special licence had allowed Thomas Tuchel’s side to fulfil this fixture and, indeed, the rest of the season.
But that does not come close to easing wider-reaching concerns – no matter what Tuchel said beforehand.
“I am still happy to be here and still happy to be manager of a strong team,” he said. “I know there is a lot of noise around.”
The word “noise” is doing a lot of heavy lifting in that context.
So restrictive do Chelsea believe the licence to be that they confirmed they would seek an amendment to terms that include limits on how much they can spend hosting or travelling to games.
They will also be blocked from transfers, loans or renewing contracts.
The Government said it would allow them to continue football operations – but a block on selling tickets and merchandise, as well as buying or selling players will make those operations almost impossible beyond this season.
Such thoughts cannot have failed to be on the minds of the players as they made the journey to Norwich – but on the pitch they looked almost relieved to escape the “noise.”
From the moment Trevoh Chalobah headed Chelsea into a third-minute lead they never looked like adding to their off-pitch woes with defeat on it.
And when Mason Mount doubled their lead on 14 minutes, thoughts turned to their 7-0 win against the same opponents earlier in the season.
A Norwich comeback was not in the script – but that is precisely what happened as the home side showed a resolve that left Chelsea hanging on at time after the break.
With better use of the ball in the final third, they might have sparked more concern in the visitors’ ranks.
Instead they had to wait until the 69th minute for a Teemu Pukki penalty after Chalobah’s handball was picked up by VAR to force their way back into the match.
Moments later Kenny McLean could have equalised when heading inside the six-yard box from a Norwich free kick – but he could not get enough power on it and Edouard Mendy gratefully smothered the ball.
From that lifeline, Chelsea made Norwich pay, with Havertz firing high into the corner to Tim Krul in the 90th-minute.
The joy and relief released by the Chelsea players felt like more than just a reaction to that goal as they face a future that no one can be sure of.
