In the end it was routine - like a training session at times in the additional minutes - but at one stage, it looked as if it was going to be anything but that for Chelsea against Manchester United at Stamford Bridge.

As the sun covered a surprisingly warm west London on Halloween, a mistake-ridden first half for the Blues threatened to turn the atmosphere toxic in SW6. Xabi Alonso needed a response from his players after back-to-back defeats to Tottenham and Liverpool earlier in the week and in the first half, there were indications that it was going to be the same old story for Chelsea.

The crucial thing was for Chelsea to get into the break with no damage done. Against a better side, or virtually any other iteration of Manchester United, they might have been punished for their sloppiness.

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Alonso's message at the half-time break was simple: "We have spoken at half-time that we're going to win this game with the ball.

"So the improvement has been with the ball, the message has been to be better with the ball, not to give it away as much, to change something tactically but we were more comfortable on the pitch, we looked more controlled and that's when you feel better with the ball, normally you are better for defending as well.

"So I think that reaction, that change has been important for the goal and the feeling as well."

Chelsea took less risks in possession in the second half. There's a time and a place to do that, and Alonso picked the right time to relay that message to his players, who were much more impactful with the ball in the second period.

It helped that United capitulated - something we have seen from Michael Carrick's under-fire team so often this season already - and once Chelsea got ahead, there didn't seem to be too many nerves, on the pitch, anyway, that the hosts would squander their lead.

Alonso's side got themselves into the position where they could enjoy the final moments. There was a moment late on at Stamford Bridge where Chelsea were passing it around so casually to just help see the game out. There was no press from United - Gary Neville would have been somewhere fuming - it was more like Chelsea keeping the ball away from a few mannequins.

There were a few superb individual performances from those in blue. None more impressive than Romeo Lavia, who arguably produced his most complete performance since signing for Chelsea in the summer of 2023.

After completing his first full 90 minutes in the defeat at Anfield less than 72 hours prior, there were some doubts that the Belgium international would start again, particularly because Jordan Henderson had been preferred in recent weeks.

However, Henderson, who had played every minute of Chelsea's previous five matches going into the showdown with Man United, was unavailable due to illness. While we wish the 36-year-old a speedy recovery, his absence was like a blessing in disguise for Alonso.

After being asked about Lavia's display, Alonso said: "He knew [he was starting] in the right moment, but he knew yesterday [Friday]. From a midfielder point of view, for me, it has been a top, top performance.

"He's done so many things right, he's been always connecting the defence with the attacking players, he's been able to switch the game, he's taken many right decisions, he's been very dynamic, competitive.

"So I think that not just this game, for the last two, three weeks he's been playing at a very good level and I'm very happy for him and today he deserves a huge recognition for his performance."

Lavia's role in Morgan Rogers' stunning opening goal cannot be underplayed. Not only did he win the ball back from Bryan Mbeumo in the first place, the Chelsea midfielder followed his interception to beat Carlos Baleba to the ball and lay it off to Rogers.

Rogers had everything to do when he received possession, so give Chelsea's record signing his share of the credit, but Lavia's role was integral.

It was a mazy run from Rogers and when United were on red alert - or at least should have been - with the England international charging into their box, there was a bit of an embarrassing moment for former Chelsea midfielder Andrey Santos. The Brazilian tried to slide in and intercept the ball on the edge of the box but to say he was nowhere near Rogers when hitting the floor would be a massive understatement.

A brilliant run, but an even better finish. Many would have panicked when they got into a shooting position but the 24-year-old stayed cold in front of goal, dinking Senne Lammens and turning the game on its head. That's what you pay £117million for.

Rogers recognised the role Lavia played after, though, and gave the Belgian a big hug before saying something in his ear.

Lavia seems a hugely popular figure in the Chelsea dressing room. Moments after the full-time whistle, Cole Palmer, the scorer of the other Blues goal before being taken off in stoppage time, jogged back on to the pitch and went straight over to Lavia to congratulate him. For his performance, of course, but also for the fact he has now completed consecutive full matches in the space of less than three days.

It was such a strong and impressive display from the Belgian that Alonso's midfield for next weekend's trip to Sunderland has surely already been decided. Lavia has made himself undroppable.

While Lavia bossed the midfield battle, those ahead of him also shone. Rogers scored his fifth Premier League goal of the season and looks more of a superb signing with each wonderful goal he bags, but on the right-hand side, Estevao Willian put in a performance that makes it even more baffling that he has been used so sparingly in the first couple of months of the campaign.

The 19-year-old made his first Premier League start under Alonso, who, in the week, called for patience when it came to the winger. '"He will get his chance eventually" has been the consistent message from Alonso. Little did we know that the Chelsea manager was probably having a chuckle to himself in his head knowing that Estevao was going to start against United on Saturday.

Estevao is a rough diamond of a footballer. Not the finished package by any stretch but his potential is frightening. A diamond is a diamond, at the end of the day.

The Brazil international, who before Saturday afternoon had recorded just 47 minutes (not including stoppage time) in the Premier League this season, added another dimension to the Chelsea attack. His six attempted shots was the joint-most from a Blues player in the league this term. He is always looking to make something happen.

The fact he didn't score is baffling. Estevao had an early goal chalked off for a clear offside after Pedro Neto's shot was saved and rebounded to the Brazilian. He then had one in the second half disallowed in what was an extremely tight call - some people on social media are still debating it - but it was an emphatic finish on his weaker foot to beat Lammens.

Estevao had a brilliant solo effort saved by the Man United goalkeeper from the edge of the box. On another day, he could have had at least two goals - and he deserved that for his display. Alonso was delighted with the teenager's effort.

When asked when he made his decision to start Estevao against United, Alonso explained: "You ask me, but sometimes I can't give you all the info. We spoke after Tottenham and he knew that he was going to be playing today.

"He has had the best response to show that he deserves more, that he was prepared and that's what you want from a football player, so I'm very happy for him.

"He deserved to enjoy his game, he had a good connection with the crowd. He was really close to scoring that goal.

"At the end he fought really hard, he was tired and it has been a good day for him."

Next up for Chelsea is a trip to Sunderland, the Premier League's bottom side, next weekend. The Black Cats are a much more physical proposition for the Blues to contend with, so it will be interesting to see if Alonso keeps Estevao in his attack at the Stadium of Light given the manager's recent comments about the winger's physical level.

One thing is for sure: he couldn't have done much more on Saturday to stake a claim.