Chelsea put the day's concerns behind them to see off Norwich City at Carrow Road.
The Blues were dealt a major blow after sanctions were placed upon them following the UK's decision to freeze Roman Abramovich's assets.
It leaves the west London outfit in limbo regarding their future, not that you'd have known such was their fast start in Norfolk.
The Blues were two goals up within fifteen minutes, which all but sealed the match as Trevoh Chalobah and Mason Mount both scored early on.
Thomas Tuchel's side dominated possession in the first-half which left the hosts working off scraps before they grew in the second 45.
Chalobah's handball presented Teemu Pukki with a chance from the spot, which he happily took to half the deficit.
Chelsea had stuck seven past the Canaries back in October but this clash was far more competitive and, had they been more clinical when they were on top, the hosts may well have levelled.
Instead the Blues were able to weather the storm, as all top teams do, and Kai Havertz rifled in to the top corner with minutes remaining to put the result beyond doubt.
Here are five talking points.
1 Away backing
The headlines on Thursday have involved matters off the pitch rather than on it.
Chelsea fans are already reflecting on the past two decades following Abramovich's announcement that he will sell the club after a trophy-laden era.
However that may not happen anytime soon and the emotive nature of the situation has been clear.
The travelling faithful again sang the Russian's name at the start of the match despite Tuchel previously stating that it wasn't the time to do so.
Throughout the contest it was their voices that could be heard loudest as the capital outfit look to adopt an us against the world mentality during what will be a turbulent period.
2 Uphill struggle
If there was one thing Chelsea would've wanted early on it would've been a goal and they got their wish.
Quietening the crowd will have been a priority against a side fighting relegation and they got exactly that.
Chalobah's header made the home side's task a tough one and by 15 minutes they were 2-0 down and facing an almighty battle.
Norwich, to their credit, were by no means outclassed despite creating little in front of goal until Pukki scored from the spot.
There problem though was that they gave themselves too much to do against a Chelsea side who will have been as motivated as ever to pick up the three points.
3 A Canaries perspective
Norwich may be feeling that sinking feeling having offered little against the Blues.
That said, games like this, even at home, are not ones where Dean Smith will have expected to pick up anything.
The hosts saw any hopes of causing an upset quickly ended by the European champions, but relegation is no closer than it was 24 hours earlier despite jeers from sections of the crowd.
Instead Norwich's focus should be on games in the next month which come against Leeds, Brighton and Burnley.
All of whom are beatable with two of the aforementioned trio battling with them for survival.
4 Screen on song
Another referee goes to the screen, another referee changes his mind.
This time it was Martin Atkinson who, having confidently waved away Norwich's appeals for a penalty, was advised to consult the monitor.
No matter how subjective the call, throughout the season whenever the man in the middle has been told to look at the screen he's altered his call.
This one will not go in the Diogo Jota at Crystal Palace category, in fact if this hadn't been given it may well have rivalled the Rodri handball that was recently waved away at Everton.
VAR, on this occasion, got it right and with minimal fuss.
5 What next in west London?
Thursday night's game always seemed to be secondary to matters elsewhere.
The Blues take on Newcastle United on Sunday but all the talk between now and then will be just where the club's future lies.
Financial restrictions will have an effect, even for a side as rich as Chelsea, and players will no doubt question their own futures.
Some of those whose contracts expire in the summer are now unable to negotiate with the club due to the latest set of sanctions.
Any potential buyers also face a potential waiting game and could yet end their interest all together.
The powers in the UK are now challenged with balancing their sanctions against Abramovich with ensuring Chelsea and their fans don't suffer by way of association.
