Steven Gerrard singled Joao Pedro out for praise after Chelsea booked their place in next month’s FA Cup final after a 1-0 win over Leeds United at Wembley.
The Brazil international returned to the starting line-up after he missed the recent defeats against Manchester United and his former club Brighton.
A run of five successive Premier League defeats without scoring, ultimately, cost Liam Rosenior his job and catapulted Calum McFarlane back into the spotlight.
The interim head coach, who took charge of two matches back in January following Enzo Maresca’ shock exit, benefited from the return to fitness of Pedro who led the line with distinction.
Skipper Enzo Fernandez proved the matchwinner with a 23rd minute header, but it was the performance of Chelsea’s £60million summer recruit that really stood out for Gerrard.
‘He was a great focal point today,’ the former Liverpool skipper told TNT Sport. ‘He’s a lovely mover with the ball.
‘Remember in the second half when Cucurella wrapped one in and you’re thinking as a centre forward thanks for that, it’s coming in neck high and his first touch was absolutely beautiful.
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‘I think Chelsea look a different team with him in and he made a big difference today.’
Those sentiments were echoed by Gerrard’s former England teammate, Joe Cole, who claimed Leeds didn’t know how to handle the Chelsea striker.
He said: ‘He plays with that flair, I loved him today he was dropping off in the pockets. He did his centre forward job, he held up the play and when he got into good positions he was picking the right passes.
‘They didn’t know whether to go with him when he got into the pockets, he ran in behind. He was such a problem for Leeds and when he’s on song you can see the influence.
‘He’s been out the team and we’ve looked a bit off it. When he’s in the team it’s so much more balanced.’
It was also a reputation enhancing afternoon for goalkeeper Robert Sanchez who made two match defining saves either side of Fernandez’s goal.
‘It’s amazing,’ said the Spain international. ‘The boys reacted in the way they should have.
‘We’ve tried to keep everyone positive in training and it’s the chance to be in another final. It’s something we’ve been working for and it’s amazing.
‘I’m happy. I always try to do my job. We go through ups and downs. I’m very happy about the season I’ve had but it’s about ending it on a high. Four Premier League games to go and a final.’
On what McFarlance has added in such a short space of time, he added: ‘Keep it positive and focus on the next games. We said six games to go and it’s on us to try and win the final.’