Chelsea supporters will be quietly satisfied with their start to the season as they look to keep the pressure on the early season pacesetters.

The West Londoners travel to Southampton tomorrow looking to continue their unbeaten start to the season and maintain their chase of Manchester City and Liverpool.

Their latest victory was barely deserved. Striker Alvaro Morata proved to be the difference between the sides as Maurizio Sarri’s men clinched victory in their second Europa League group match, this time against the Hungarian champions Vidi.

When Sarri was asked what he thought of Morata’s emotional response to ending a goal drought that went back to mid-August, he said he was “really very happy for him.”

“It’s very important for him to score,” said Sarri. “I think it’s very important for him to play a very good match. He played a very good match.

“It’s very important for him to play for the team. I think Alvaro can restart from this performance.”

Chelsea, winners of the competition in 2013, had opened their Group L campaign with a 1-0 win at PAOK Salonika in Greece.

It was expected that Sarri would use the Europa League to give opportunities to some of the fringe members of his squad.

He made a number of changes and, though Chelsea’s players flattered to deceive, the win left them in a comfortable position in their group. 

The Chelsea boss also expressed his pleasure as midfielder Ross Barkley was recalled to the England squad for the upcoming Nations League matches against Croatia and Spain.

“I’m very happy for him. He had a very serious injury last season,” added Sarri.

“Now he’s recovering very well. He’s improving match by match, week by week. I’m really very happy with him.

“I think he can have a very important future in this club and in the national team.”

Chelsea travel to the south coast to face a Southampton side which has taken seven points from five matches this season.