Chelsea took control of their Carabao Cup semi-final against Tottenham with a commanding win at Stamford Bridge.
Antonio Conte returned with his much-improved side, but was dealt a reality check at his previous home.
The Blues have seen their title charge fade in recent weeks but replicated the intensity they showed at the weekend against Liverpool.
Kai Havertz put Thomas Tuchel's side ahead within minutes as his shot deflected in off Davinson Sanchez.
Things went from bad to worse after Ben Davies put through his own net in bizarre circumstances.
Chelsea though were deservedly ahead at the interval with the visitors offering little in attack and consistently making mistakes.
Tottenham's level improved in the second 45, but Kepa Arrizabalaga was rarely troubled.
Timo Werner missed a chance to perhaps put the tie beyond doubt, but the Blues will still head across the capital confident of finishing off the job in a weeks time.
Here are five talking points from west London.
1 Are the Blues back?
Tuchel's side have fallen considerably off the pace in the Premier League after several poor results.
Nevertheless the intent and quality they showed against Liverpool at the weekend was them getting close to their best.
Tonight again we saw signs that Chelsea are getting back to the level which helped them win games almost metronomically earlier this season.
Tottenham, who very much had been building momentum, were beaten with minimal fuss - a hallmark of elite sides.
The Blues look solid defensively once more whilst they controlled the game for large periods.
Manchester City may not drop enough points to give Chelsea a sniff of the title, but on this form silverware in certainly on the cards.
2 Costly errors
It took five minutes for the hosts to take control of the game and the tie, but it was something of a gift.
Japhet Tanganga attempted to play out but saw his pass dispossessed. Within seconds Havertz was giving Chelsea the lead.
With the Blues pressing high the defender was perhaps better off sending it long.
He then opted to head a clearance away from goal, only to see it cannon off Davies into the net in what will go down as one of the season's more bizarre goals.
Easy to say now he should've nodded it out for a header, rather than back into play.
That said, Chelsea were more than good value for their win, but the manner in which they scored both their goals was certainly avoidable.
3 A timely reminder
Much has been made of Conte's swift impact at Tottenham - and rightly so.
The team who've played in recent weeks look a million miles from the one who struggled under Nuno Espirito Santo earlier this season.
The only caveat from some being a favourable fixture list.
Liverpool stalemate aside - a game in which Tottenham showed their class - their wins have been picked up against sides you'd have expected them to beat.
Questions were asked - would they continue their impressive form against a top team. A test that would be a fair gauge of their development.
Chelsea certainly showed the north Londoners that, even though they've endured a dip in form themselves, they still have a way to go.
4 Lukaku's reception
It has certainly been an eventful week for the Belgian and his employers.
After giving an interview in which he hinted at an early exit Lukaku was dropped by Thomas Tuchel at the weekend.
A public apology followed and, it seems, all is forgiven internally as the forward returned to the starting XI.
Fortunately for Lukaku, the fans appear to hold no grudges either and he was given a largely positive reception when he ran out at the beginning of the night.
A hostile crowd reaction would've made things difficult for the Belgian, who has underlined his commitment to the Blues.
Instead he appears to be firmly in their good books moving forward.
5 The return of Conte
It was far from a happy one for the Italian.
He left Chelsea back in 2018 but has returned to London in recent months.
Conte's last taste of this fixture didn't end well, with his then Blues side shipping three.
Tonight they conceded twice - both goals avoidable - but were solidly second best.
The tactician claimed he had nothing to prove upon his return to Stamford Bridge, but he will have been less than impressed with how his side conducted themselves on his old stomping ground.
