OUR dressing room looks like we have just won a cup final, not just another three points in the league."
All those who believe there is not an ounce of modesty beneath the swarthy, stubbled features of Jose Mourinho should think again.
The Chelsea manager (right) monopolised the points at Stamford Bridge on Saturday, and was therefore able to offer a touch of humility, but he wasn't the only one indulging in a course of rein-vention.
Top of the table Chelsea had good reason to celebrate their win over Everton as though it was a monumental victory. It was one.
They had been forced to draw on every reserve of energy and skill their multi-talented and expensive squad possesses to edge out the slenderest of triumphs over David Moyes's side in a second against third contest that had matched its Premiership billing.
Victory, and an outright lead over Arsenal at the top, under-standably sparked jubilation in a side that proved itself one of the top four teams in Europe last season and was then fine-tuned to the cost of £90million.
But it was the justifiable disappointment that gnawed at Everton having squandered glorious opportunities to defeat them on home soil that provided the clear-est illustration of a club's improving fortunes this weekend.
Defeat to Chelsea, hard on the heels of a frustrating draw at home to Aston Villa, could be read by many people as the signal for Everton to slide out of the elite's realm and back into obscurity.
The 41,965 present at Stamford Bridge are unlikely to be among them. It was a single lapse in concentration and one moment of individual brilliance that separated the sides on Saturday, not the gulf in class Roman Abramovich would perhaps expect his money to bring.
The Russian billionaire is right to demand a good performance for his generosity though and in that respect Chelsea delivered. Only Everton did too, with a style and conviction that continues to improve and illustrates why they have every right to believe this "flash in the pan" can keep burning for a good while longer.
Injuries and suspensions, if and when they arrive, will take a heavy toll on Moyes's side. But while Everton are short on resources they are not lacking in spirit, attitude and, as has now been proved, quality.
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