Chelsea determined to end season with silver lining

The next pavement slab in Chelsea’s road to recovery under Guus Hiddink has been laid, with a nervy FA Cup victory over Scunthorpe but their performance suggests the route ahead is not yet clear of obstacles.

Goals from Diego Costa and substitute Ruben Loftus-Cheek ensured Chelsea reached the fourth round and began a run of three matches in a row at Stamford Bridge with an all-important victory — only their fifth at home in domestic competitions all season. Next up is West Brom on Wednesday and Everton on Saturday — before their recovery is fully tested by a trip to Arsenal a week later.

At the minute, the best you can say is that Hiddink has steadied the ship sufficiently to suggest it has been a solid start under new management; his record now reading four matches unbeaten since arriving back in west London, five if you include a win over Sunderland which took place with him in the stands but not yet appointed after Jose Mourinho’s controversial exit.