Captain John Terry was not surprised after Chelsea had to work extremely hard to take all three points against Stoke City on Saturday.
The Blues were under pressure to perform after Arsenal eased past Liverpool at the Emirates hours earlier and their response was immediate as they kept the 7-point lead at the top intact.
"We knew it would be difficult," Terry told the club's official website.
"They're a very well-organised team, it was tough but we ground it out and I thought the determination and patience from the players was excellent today.
"The goal from Charlie Adam, which was a great goal, stunned us before half-time but we came out for the second half knowing what we had to do.
"Just before the international break it was important to get the win and it was the same again, just to pick up the momentum and go again.
"We've done that and if we keep doing that it's going to be difficult for the other teams."
The 34-year-old, who extended his contract at the club at the end of last month, was also full of praise for striker Loic Remy and midfielder Eden Hazard at the end of the game.
"It [Loic Remy's] was a massively important goal away at Hull and now he's got another one," the Englishman said.
"We've stressed the importance of the squad throughout the campaign, the manager's rotated after the international break as well, and it goes to show the strength we have with Loic and Didier coming on.
"He's [Eden Hazard has] been excellent, he's been our best player this season by a long way and in the games where you're looking for that little bit extra, a bit of magic from someone, he's the one who steps up and manages to create something.
"For me, he's up there with [Lionel] Messi and [Cristiano] Ronaldo and he can still get better."
