Chelsea defender Branislav Ivanovic is seeking some momentum after victory at Europa League opponents Sparta Prague.

Ivanovic made his 200th Blues appearance in Thursday night's 1-0 unconvincing Europa League last-32 first-leg win at Sparta Prague as boss Rafael Benitez and Fernando Torres' blushes were spared by a delightful 82nd-minute goal from substitute Oscar, his sixth in Europe this term.

"It was a very important game for us to win and to keep the momentum going," said Ivanovic, after Chelsea followed up the 4-1 Premier League defeat of Wigan.

"(The lack of consistency) has been very difficult for us, but we are a team that can build and we have to think about this.

"We have to improve every game, every session and we hope it will be fine in the end.

"It was our first game in the Europa League and it was difficult, but we got the goal and that gave us the advantage.

"Sometimes in a different competition you're not sure what to expect in the games, but now we know much better. It was a good win for us."