Chelsea defender Branislav Ivanovic feels the team has been growing in confidence ever since their unlucky loss to Manchester United in the middle of last month.
On that occasion, the Blues had an enormous amount of shots on goal but fell 3-1 to the reigning champions and Ivanovic, who scored in last night's 5-0 Champions League rout of Belgian club Genk, says that particular match was the catalyst for an upward rise in form.
"Since our only defeat against Manchester United, we have more confidence and are growing as a team every game," he told the London Evening Standard.
"Bigger tests are to come but we are ready for them.
"First we have a huge derby against QPR but the games against Arsenal and Liverpool will show how good a team we are for this season.
"We have grown up. Things are going well for us but we have to work hard to stay at this level.
"Things can always change and it is too early to look back at the results we've had so far this season. We will see where we are after the New Year."
