Coming days after an abject performance against Bournemouth in the club’s heaviest league defeat in 23 years, this was a chance for Maurizio Sarri’s men to respond to their manager’s criticism of them.

They responded positively, with a wonderful display of attacking football against a Huddersfield Town team that never stood a chance. It was all smiles among the Stamford Bridge faithful. Bigger tests await in the coming weeks, however.

Gonzalo Higuain, on loan from Juventus for the remainder of the season, scored two in this rout of the league’s bottom club. Eden Hazard, who also scored a pair, was also in fine form as Chelsea returned to winning ways leaving their manager pleased.

Sarri, who was left furious after the 4-0 midweek loss, warned his players about the need to maintain high standards.

“It was all positive, we played a full 90 minutes, defended very well, so it was a very good match, but we need consistency now,” said the Italian manager. “We have to continue to play with the same mentality in all the matches.

“I hope in the future we will not need to lose a match to find the right mentality.”

With an important month ahead of them, Sarri’s Chelsea enter a run of six matches in 17 days as they face opponents in four competitions.

It starts with a league encounter with Manchester City on Sunday, who they also face in the League Cup final later in the month. They also play Manchester United in the FA Cup, as well as a league tie against London rivals Tottenham.

The blossoming partnership between Higuain and Hazard pleased the Chelsea boss.

“Higuain is improving,” said Sarri. “He wasn’t physically at the top when he arrived, because he had a back problem and wasn’t involved, so only played a few matches.

“He is a great player. Apart from the goals, he is really very suitable to play very close to Eden.”

After a period of sustained pressure, Chelsea took the lead through Higuain, who slammed the ball home from close range after being played in by a clever pass from N’golo Kante.

Hazard stepped up to put a spot kick away after Elias Kachunga had fouled Cesar Azpilicueta. Chelsea were on their way to victory.

Hazard extended the lead after he slipped in behind the opposition defenders to convert a pass from Ross Barkley. Higuain added a fourth with a deflected shot from outside the penalty area before David Luiz completed an emphatic win.

Huddersfield head coach Jan Siewert said: “We need to be more aggressive in the box to go for our goals.”