Graham Potter has admitted Chelsea "had to suffer" to finally end their long wait for a victory against Leeds on Saturday afternoon.
The Blues won their first Premier League game for nearly two months thanks to Wesley Fofana's second-half goal. The result eases some of the pressure on Potter, but the Chelsea boss remains firmly under the cosh at Stamford Bridge due to their recent form.
Chelsea have scored just five Premier League goals in 2023 - including Fofafa's header on Saturday afternoon - and were expected to beat relegation candidates Leeds. Despite this, Potter is still relieved to get the win after a "challenging period" for the Blues.
"Delighted for the players and supporters," Potter told BBC Sport. "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 [the nerves]. The players fought for the win and it allows us to keep moving forward.
"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.
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"Ben Chilwell has been working really hard and contributed in a good way in the first half in how he attacked. We just have to focus on the game. You can't control what the noise is outside."
Despite Saturday afternoon's win, there will still be question marks over Potter's conservative style. Chelsea managed just three shots on target against Leeds and were slightly fortunate to escape with the points, as the visitors tried to find a late equaliser.
Potter again failed to call on senior centre-forward Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who remained an unused substitute. Chelsea have scored just 24 goals in 25 Premier League games this term, with only six teams boasting worse records.
Former Leeds midfielder Michael Brown, who covered the game as a commentator for BBC Radio 5 Live, noted: "These Chelsea supporters, if Leeds score, will be asking, 'Why were we so negative? Why did we not go and get that second goal?'"
Although scoring remains challenging for Chelsea, Fofana was delighted to find the net and keep a clean sheet. After all, he is a defender. "I feel good, I scored today, the team won and a clean sheet," Fofana told BBC Sport. "A very good day."
Fofana added: "Not nerves but excitement for the win, the fans and the club. It is a difficult situation but everyone in the club pushes for a win. It's not a problem. Every player is an attacker or a defender. Today it is me but in other games, every player can score... I hope so [we can kick on]. Just push, work and try to win every game. That's it."
