The Portugal defender was outstanding as Avram Grant's men ground out a crucial victory at Everton on Thursday night to cut Manchester United's lead at the top of the Barclays Premier League to just two points.

And he is relishing the next three vital matches - starting on Tuesday against Liverpool at Anfield in the Champions League semi-final.

That is followed by a possible title decider the following Saturday at home to Manchester United, with the return against Liverpool at Stamford Bridge four days later.

And Carvalho has no doubt Chelsea will cope with the three pressure matches.

He said: "After we only drew with Wigan on Monday it was obvious that the Everton game was too important a match for us not to play well and show our strength. We needed to show our character and prove that it is still possible for us to win the title.

"For us the only way that this can be described as a successful season will be for us to win a trophy, we want the Champions League and we still want the title. We must win something, a trophy now is very important for us and we are still in there fighting."