Carlo Ancelotti danced for joy in the dugout as Didier Drogba's last minute winner broke the stubborn resistance of Hull City.
Drogba admitted afterwards that he was actually trying to cross the ball rather than lob goalkeeper Boaz Myhill for the 92nd minute winner.
But that did not disguise the Italian's relief at getting his first league win as Chelsea boss.
"I was quiet, calm but worried as the clock reached 90 minutes," admitted the Italian.
"But I believe we could score at any time, whether it's in the first minute when Drogba missed a great chance or in the last minute when he did score.
"It's important to believe in this.
"Drogba had a problem with injuries last season but is now fit. It's important that he is also motivated. I have not told him to stay on his feet and not dive.
But Ancelotti was not completely happy: "We have to improve. We did not play well all match, but that is normal.
"This match was difficult for us as we went a goal behind but we deserved to win."
Asked about the indifferent performance of Frank Lampard, playing at the head of a midfield diamond, Ancelotti conceded that the international midweek matches did him no good.
"We have to consider players who played 90 minutes so they had no rest, plus Lampard was playing in an area full of defensive players so it was not easy for him."
The Italian confirmed he had not spoken to England boss Fabio capello about resting some of his Chelsea players.
"I want to help the England coach, I give him players in good condition.
He also confirmed that he made the half-time decision to replace Mikel for Ballack for tactical reasons: "Mikel was not injured. I wanted more aggression and quality in midfield," said Ancelotti.
"I was not surprised by Hull City and I don't know when my players will fully understand my system and make it normal for them," he conceded.
Tigers' boss Phil Brown was frustrated and proud at his team's performance.
"I am bitterly disappointed but we put down a marker here in London," he said.
"We played better today and lost than here last season when we got a point.
"Their first goal was soft and the second was a cross.
"But when we had the ball we wanted the first pass to be a good one. We had mendy to look after Ashley Cole and we had new players learning to play the Phil Brown a\nod hull City way. It's not just about playing against the big boys."
Brown admitted that there could soon be an addition to the side; "I'm hopeful we will have a top-class No9 by Wednesday," he confirmed.
"We needed to improve our midfield which we did in Stephen hunt and to stop considering goal, which we failed to do.
"Hunt is an energetic player and is tenacious, some teams don't like that but he is my kind of player.
"We survived just last season and must improve this season."