Alonso scored his fourth goal of the campaign to give us the lead in the first half, reacting quickest to convert after Diego Costa’s header had come back off the bar.

‘I’m happy for another three points, we played a very good game, we were consistent and we need to keep going,’ said the Spaniard.

‘I think we controlled the game for the 90 minutes. We’re a little bit disappointed with the goal we conceded but it was a very good performance from everyone and now we need to keep our focus and concentration. We’re enjoying a good run. Three points against a direct opponent is like six points.

‘It was good to score another goal and with the point we got on Tuesday it’s been a very good week for us.’

Arsenal right-back Hector Bellerin was forced out of the action after being injured when challenging Alonso for the loose ball which led to our opener.

‘I jumped a bit higher and got to the ball first, I didn’t even see him coming so I don’t think it’s a free-kick,’ he said.

‘I feel sorry for him, he’s a good friend but I didn’t see him. I hope he’s okay.’

Our attention now switches to next Sunday’s game away at Burnley, where Alonso hopes we can maintain our good form.

‘We just need to go game by game. After this win the result in midweek is an even better point so we’ll see what the other teams do and enjoy a couple of days off.

‘We are working had during the week and you can see that, we are giving everything on the pitch and getting results.’