After a testing encounter with Roma on Wednesday night, the players were pleased to come away from Stamford Bridge with maximum points.

It took a John Terry header 13 minutes from time to break the deadlock, after the visitors had frustrated us for long periods, eager to take a point back to the Italian capital.

It was a rare goal for the Chelsea captain, who was pleased with his contribution.

'It is my first goal at the Bridge for a couple of years now, so I'm delighted to get off the mark, but I got a little cramp so couldn't even celebrate!' he joked afterwards.

'They made it very difficult for us the whole game, but thankfully we got the goal and the three points.

'They are a very good side with some great players in their team, forcing us wide, back inside and out the other side. They worked very hard all night and maybe they deserved something, but we got the three points.'

He explained that he thought patience was the key to our eventual success.

'[In the] first half we got a bit frustrated and were too keen to get on and get a goal. Against top sides like that you need to be patient and wait for your chance because it will come.

'I think they will be looking at the group now, they will have to beat us [in Rome] to put themselves in a good position in the group, so hopefully it will be a bit more of an open game and we will get a few more chances.'

In goal, Petr Cech experienced a quiet night, due he believes to it being a tactical contest, with each side giving little away.

'It was a really tactical game and we didn't have many chances, they didn't have many chances. That's why we need to be careful. We did well because it's not easy to play against them, they have some quality in the midfield,' he said.

'[In these games] you want to score early and have an advantage in the game but we couldn't. We felt a little bit different than in the other games, and we had to really fight but we kept our heads calm and kept working.'

At half-time Luiz Felipe Scolari replaced Florent Malouda with Juliano Belletti, but the Frenchman was happy to watch on as JT wrapped up the win.

'You have to deal with the opponent and Roma played very well, it was a tactical game. We made no mistakes, and that's what makes the difference in the end. They made one mistake at the corner and we found the solution.

'We didn't want to concede any goals and would hopefully find a solution on set pieces so it was okay for us. We have three matches to qualify and with the spirit we showed tonight I hope we will be in the next phase.'

Before we worry about the return game in Italy, we have key domestic games to focus on. Next up is Liverpool, and already attention is switched to Sunday.

'It is two big teams, Liverpool started very well, and are a big team with big players. I hope we win and take the first place alone, but we have a lot of respect for Liverpool. But we are at home, we drew against Man United and want to win against Liverpool,' Malouda said.

Terry repeated the sentiments, indicating that we must keep the impetus that has driven us on in games.

'Yeah we have to, the games are coming thick and fast now, so we have to keep winning and keep the momentum. [We have] another big one on Sunday which will be a test for us at the top and we have to stay strong and keep going,' he said.