COMMENT: He wasn't just smiling, he was absolutely beaming. After seeing his Chelsea demolish Everton, Roman Abramovich was grinning ear-to-ear.
It was a performance John Motson, the legendary BBC commentator, dubbed "the greatest in Premier League history". But those five goals fired past Everton wasn't the source of Abramovich's elation. Nor even the performance. It was what the night represented.
Sure, on paper it was just three points. But Saturday was a culmination of all the months of work Abramovich had demanded from his powerbrokers behind-the-scenes. For so long. For too long. Chelsea, with or without Jose Mourinho, had always been influenced by the Special One during the Abramovich era. But today? It's difficult to argue against there being anyother time during these 13 years that Chelsea have not felt so independent - or free - of the shadow of Mourinho.
The football. The performance. That's one thing. It's cheap - even nasty - to dismiss some of the stuff Mourinho's two Chelsea teams produced. We all remember Cesc Fabregas' stunning assist against Burnley in that title year. Yeah, in the end, Chelsea were limping over the line. But some of the football Mourinho had his Blues playing in the opening months took the breath away.
But what Antonio Conte has managed to pull off goes much deeper. In this column we've discussed the bounce David Luiz's arrival gave the locker room. And how Conte's man-management would diffuse any tension with a stroppy Diego Costa. But there's so, so much more. The goals are flying in. Fans, including Abramovich, are now seeing the kids get their chance. Eden Hazard is again playing with a smile on his face. And he's not the only one.
Conte's 3-4-3 system is being hailed as a masterstroke - but it could only work if the playing group were open-minded and enthusiastic enough to embrace it. That mindset simply didn't exist last season. Not under Mourinho, nor Guus Hiddink. But with Conte, the culture is changing.
Just consider those not in the Italian's plans. It's clear that Mikel John Obi will be on his way in 2017. As will Cesc and Branislav Ivanovic. But where Mourinho will have shunned them, banishing the trio to the academy - or worse as in the case of Bastian Schweinsteiger at Manchester United, Conte has kept everyone involved.
And it's not like Obi or Cesc haven't had their say on the situation. Even Ivanovic's minders have given us an update on how he feels as his contract winds down. But there's been no resentment coming from the player's end. No bitterness. More of a resignation and acceptance. Conte has kept them involved. Been quick with a word of praise or appreciation when their name has come up. But no-one's being played. Not the fans. Nor the players. We all know the score. But unlike what has gone on in Chelsea's past, Conte has managed to keep everyone rowing in the same direction, including those who will soon be cast adrift.
In a sure sign of where player morale stands, the leaks from Cobham have dried up. It was like a sieve last season - under both managers. But with Conte in charge, even with several title winners facing their final months as Chelsea players, it's virtually stonewall silence.
Chelsea is a happy place. The transformation under Conte not only being celebrated by the Blues support, but also winning appreciation from the neutrals. The football. The personalities. The young players - English players - being introduced. It's suddenly okay to like Chelsea. Even celebrate them.
And this is what Abramovich always has craved. In these 13 years, he's won everything the game has to offer - except for the hearts of football neutrals. But six months on from that meeting on his super yacht, the Russian knew on Saturday he'd made the right call.
Under Conte. Indeed, in the era of Conte. Abramovich will finally be presiding over a Chelsea that does more than simply win trophies.
INJURY TIME
Prediction: Dominic Solanke will be playing Premier League football by the end of this season. That is, if he signs the new contract Chelsea have put in front of him.
He was on the scoresheet again this week, this time in Suwon with England U20. He may not be getting a game with the U23s at Chelsea, but England's coaches know how good a player Solanke is and want him involved ahead of the summer's U20 World Cup.
Last season, at Vitesse Arnhem, they were comparing him with a young Ronaldo at PSV Eindhoven. It was his first taste of senior football - and he absolutely thrived. But now it's time to check his ego.
Surely he and his stepdad can see things have changed at Chelsea? Ola Aina and Nathaniel Chalobah are now getting a game under Antonio Conte. And with Tammy Abraham away at Bristol City, there's an opening there for one young lad as a third or fourth striker in the second-half of the season. All Solanke needs to do is sign that deal.
If he backs himself. If he believes in himself. He'll know the 50 grand-a-week will come later. Now it's about playing. And for any young Blue, today under Conte, such a dream has never been so realistic. So sign the bloody contract Dom and show us all what you can do.
