Noni Madueke says Chelsea are turning a corner following their 6-1 hammering of Middlesbrough to reach the Carabao Cup final.
The winger scored the final goal of Chelsea’s emphatic semi-final second leg win to set up a final with either Fulham or Liverpool at Wembley.
It has been a disappointing season for the Blues so far but Mauricio Pochettino’s side have now won five of the last six games – the only defeat of that run coming in the semi-final first leg against Middlesbrough.
And Madueke says that defeat was motivation for his team to “win in style” in the return leg.
“The last game, we were all very angry with the result,” Madueke said.
“I feel like it was not just a good win but a statement win going into the final. We’re very happy and satisfied with the performance.
“People have been doubting us a little bit but it was great for the whole club to win and also to win in style.
“We were very disappointed with our performance in the first game to be honest, so you were always going to see the right mentality from the start and a will to win, to score lots of goals, and to win in style.
“That’s exactly what our fans deserve and they got that.
“We need to make that step and win it. It’s nice to be in the final but we’ve got to win when you have the chance.”
Chelsea have also won eight of their last nine games at Stamford Bridge and Madueke says the home form has been key to their turnaround.
“Stamford Bridge is becoming a bit of a fortress again and we need to keep it like that,” he added.
“I think I said it after the Crystal Palace win that we’re turning the corner and you can definitely see the progression.”