The 23-year-old popped up in the box in the first minute of stoppage time to thump home Willian’s cross. His pinpoint header sealed three important points that for a long time did not look like they would arrive.

Loftus-Cheek’s introduction off the bench midway through the second half added extra impetus to our attack, and the fact he was in the right place at the right time to strike the decisive blow was no coincidence.

‘The boss said to me when I came on to tell Ross [Barkley] to sit a bit more, and try and get in the box as much as I can,’ he said. ‘I did that.

‘I had a feeling we were going to get chances, and I said to myself to get in the box and hopefully one would arrive.

‘I was just focused on the ball and tried to attack the ball. I got a little bit of a shoulder drop in there and managed to get in front of him. I didn’t see it all the way, I closed my eyes, but it ended up in the net so all good!’