Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel praised Saul Niguez for his performance in the win over Southampton on Tuesday.

The 26-year-old, on loan from Atletico Madrid, was handed only his third start for the Blues, who won on penalties to reach the Carabao Cup quarter-finals.

"It was a good match, it was a huge step in the right direction for him," Tuchel told the club's website.

"I am happy. We thought maybe he would be struggling with the intensity and thought about [substituting him after] 70 minutes, 75 [minutes], but he got better and better, had chances and shots.

"We thought let's keep him [on the pitch] and give him the minutes. It was a good step for him."