The Stamford Bridge faithful got a first glimpse of Juan Cuadrado last night, but it was an old pair of hands that they had to thank for keeping Everton at bay.

Petr Cech was recalled as the Blues beat the Toffees 1-0 after Jose Mourinho ruled Thibaut Courtois had “lost focus”.

The young Belgian had looked shaky against Manchester City and Aston Villa, but for all Mourinho’s pre-match laments about Chelsea’s squad size, he knows he is well served between the sticks.

Cech twice denied ex-Blue Romelu Lukaku, the second an instinctive point-blank save that underlined the Czech’s enduring qualities.

And although it was Willian’s last-minute goal that snatched victory, Mourinho rushed on to the pitch to embrace the 32-year-old keeper at the end. It will be interesting to see if the Portuguese perseveres with Cech in Paris on Tuesday.

This was far from the blazing brilliance we have seen from Chelsea this season. Instead, they ground out a result against obdurate opponents.

Chelsea have missed the craft and guile of Cesc Fabregas – who came on with 20 minutes left last night – and Diego Costa’s cutting edge for the past three games.

But they secured seven points from those matches, with last night’s win further evidence that Chelsea know how to dig out a result.

Cuadrado showed flashes of the skill that enticed Mourinho to bring him from Fiorentina, and looks to be a substantial upgrade on Andre Schurrle.

The Colombian’s silk is drenched with sweat. With Schurrle, the balance was tilted too heavily towards honest toil.

The night was also notable for the latest Mourinho contretemps with the press.

Perhaps he feels questions about Branislav Invanovic’s “headbutt” on James McCarthy are further evidence of a vindictive campaign against Chelsea.

If Ivanovic is retrospectively punished by the FA, Mourinho's sense of victimhood will only be stoked further.

Tim Harrison is away for two weeks.