Claudio Ranieri believes a Fulham win was the correct result on Tuesday night at Craven Cottage.

Brighton & Hove Albion had stormed into an early two-goal lead, but the revitalised Whites claimed the points in the second half courtesy of Aleksandar Mitrovic’s brace and Calum Chambers and Luciano Vietto’s first goals for the Club.

“It was a very strange match,” Ranieri admitted. “After 17 minutes we were down 2-0 and at that moment I said to myself it is much better to concede now rather than at the end, where you don’t have time to react.

“It was good because we reacted immediately, even in the first half despite not scoring a goal. The Chambers goal was very important as it gave all the other players more confidence, which allowed them to think we can win tonight. We deserved to win and we played very good football.

“Tonight we provided Mitrovic with good crosses, and with crosses Mitrovic is a very dangerous player. Calum’s goal was also very good as we had very good build-up play leading up to it.”

“At half-time I gave my players positivity and let them know that we are still in the match. We had to move the ball very quickly and try and find a solution to break the lines with Mitrovic, Cairney, Vietto and Babel.

“Babel gave us some experience and leadership, every time he received the ball he was very calm and did something good for the team, the other players also followed him.”

The manner of the victory gives the Whites plenty of cause for optimism ahead of the final 14 fixtures, beginning at Crystal Palace on Saturday.

“These three points mean that we are alive, we can see a little light but it is only a little step forwards,” he said. “I want to keep seeing this fighting spirit shown this evening.

“For us every match is tough but they are crucial because we are in the relegation zone. We are confident – this match and result tonight was very important for us.

“We believe always but tomorrow we have to restart because we have another tough match ahead of us on Saturday.”