After a 3-0 thrashing at the hands of Brentford before the international break, there were some familiar nerves beginning to set in around Chelsea's season and any potential progress under Xabi Alonso.
The attention then turned towards Bournemouth. It felt like Alonso's most important test yet and one that he ultimately passed with flying colours - thrashing the Cherries 5-1. Still, though, the clean sheet did not arrive.
everton-v-chelsea-ratings-neto
That's what made the Blues' 2-0 victory away at Everton all the more important. After nine months of waiting, the West London club finally ended their wait for a clean sheet, handing Alonso a fourth win in seven games as a result.
How Chelsea finally restored control in victory over Everton
Ask just about anyone in the Premier League and they'll admit that the Hill Dickinson is one of the toughest places to go when David Moyes' side are in a stubborn mood, as they have been at the start of the current campaign.
Action Images via Reuters/Jason Cairnduff
In many ways, it represented a true litmus test for Chelsea. One way or another, they would find out whether a thrashing of Bournemouth was a false dawn or the start of more convincing displays.
When the sides entered level at the break, it looked like it would be the latter. Everton surprisingly held possession well, penning the visitors in at times and may well have taken the lead if Thierno Barry struck with more conviction before half-time.
Moyes will be quick to point out that Barry's lack of conviction was his side's first mistake, however, with Chelsea racing out the blocks in the second period to take the lead within one minute.
Pedro Neto's opener was scrappy, but clinical and that just about summed up Chelsea's display. His second strike of the day in added time was then struck with the type of composure the Blues have so desperately lacked in the early stages of Alonso's reign.
Up until their trip to the Hill Dickinson, Chelsea proved they could win in elegant, impressive fashion. Once full-time arrived on Merseyside, they had proved for the first time that they are more than willing to enter battle and emerge with three points.
Yet again, one player stood out as the best on the pitch too.
"Explosive" star is now Chelsea's best player
There was indeed another side to Chelsea's star men against Everton. Cole Palmer happily scrapped, Neto proved to be clinical, Jorrel Hato slotted straight in and it was the best game yet for new defensive trio Maxence Lacroix, Levi Colwill and Josh Acheampong.
In a season without European football, Chelsea can afford to show their battle scars. Alonso will now hope that, after the Blues' first clean sheet in nine months, it is finally the start of a reign which could prove historic.
REUTERS/David Klein
If anyone is going to take their place in the history books too, it is Morgan Rogers. He is quickly becoming the signing of the season, having arrived for as much as £117m in the summer, and quickly overtaking Palmer as Chelsea's best player.
"How good is Morgan Rogers? He's so explosive. What a perfect touch and finish from Neto. That's such a good goal from Chelsea." - Owen Hargreaves after Chelsea's first goal
Even though Rogers ended the afternoon without a goal or assists, he still impressed many around the Hill Dickinson and played a large part in Neto's opening goal, flicking his pass into Hato before the wing-back found the goalscorer.
Importantly, the England international also proved that he is more than just goals and assists against Everton - making more defensive contributions than anyone else on the pitch.
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Rogers vs Everton
Stat
Minutes
Touches
Pass accuracy
Key passes
Succ. dribbles
Ball lost
Distance covered
Carries
Tackles
Total duels won
It's a sign of leadership from a player who is proving to be worth every single penny of that £117m transfer fee.
Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso reacts
Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso reacts