Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti admitted his side were "lucky" to win 2-1 at Blackburn on Saturday, but Sam Allardyce was not surprised.
Branislav Ivanovic headed the visitors' winner eight minutes from time just moments after Jason Roberts had spurned a clear chance to put the home side back in front.
Ancelotti said: "Blackburn could have scored before our goal and we were a little bit lucky. He [Roberts] could have closed the game."
But Ancelotti, who earlier this week insisted his in-form squad still had plenty of improvements to make, once again pointed out the need to move to another level.
"To win here was important because they were better. We were not great again. Blackburn put us under some pressure and we were not able to play our football.
"We knew it would be difficult to win here because Blackburn are a very good team with a lot of strength and physical ability and long balls.
"So it is very important to win here to maintain our position at the top. We are in good condition now and I hope we improve on this victory."
Ancelotti singled out Yury Zhirkov for special praise after the midfielder's sensational work down the left flank set up Ivanovic's chance to grab the points.
"We were [heading for] a draw then we had the fantastic play of Zhirkov and we were able to win this game," added Ancelotti. "He is playing good football and working for the team."
Allardyce bemoaned his side's series of missed chances but also paid tribute to Chelsea's ability to rescue three points out of nowhere.
Allardyce said: "They've got a punishing side to their game and they're ruthless. When they're being out-played - and we out-played them at times - they hang in there.
"They're not in the game and they're not looking like scoring and we're in the ascendancy, then with three passes it's a goal. That outstanding quality can punish you at any time."
Allardyce, whose cause was not helped by first-half injuries to Gael Givet and goalscorer Benjani Mwaruwari, added that he could have few complaints about his side's display.
"It's one of those days where you play as well as you possibly can. It's pleasing to create chances against such a big team but it's the ultimate kick in the teeth when you don't take them.
"It's tremendously disappointing for the performance we gave to get the result we got. The performances are good but the points we are getting are just not good enough."
Of Roberts' glaring miss, Allardyce added: "Jason did everything right apart from hitting it six inches wide. It should be 2-1 with six minutes to go. One minute later it's 2-1 to them and that's a bitter pill for us."
