A second win on the bounce and a clean sheet where they suddenly looked like they had a competent defence and a high level midfield.

Not a bad weekend for Xabi Alonso’s Chelsea. After a wobble before the international break, they used the time like many predicted they would – improving defensively and getting injured players back. They’ve followed that with two wins in a row, and look like they really have gone to a new level.

Whether you’re betting in the USA, Asia or with top Romanian bookies, you’ll see the same thing – another weekend of results which shows that the bookies are gradually buying into the idea that Chelsea are going to be competing at the very top this year.

The Opta supercomputer has been updated, and now has the Blues predicted to finish 5th, behind Man City, Arsenal, Liverpool and Brighton. But at this rate it won’t be long until we’ve leapfrogged at least one of those competitors.

Our next game is against Tottenham – a tough match, but one which could produce a really meaningful victory. Beat Roberto de Zerbi’s team and people will really start taking us seriously. Another free midweek while so many of our competitors play in Europe should help our advantage go further.

As well as that extra rest, we’re also seeing the benefits of having Moises Caicedo back. It felt almost overplayed how much of a difference he was going to make – in the end, it improved the team just as much as everyone hoped. He was brilliant, and his presence allows Jordan Henderson to shine too. His vocal leadership was evident as we calmly saw out the game. It could be a crucial factor in the weeks to come.

The win over Everton took a toll in one regard though. Chelsea lost Emi Martinez in a horrible clash with Jarrad Branthwaite that led to the goalkeeper stretchered off and taken to hospital, where had surgery on a broken jaw. He will miss at least a month, and while Mike Penders is a top young keeper, he doesn’t have the Argentine’s experience.

If the new man plays well in the next couple of games and calms the markets, we could see our chances of Champions League football leap up further. The pundits are starting to believe this is a top team, the bookies are starting to believe it too. The fans aren’t far behind.