Van Hecke produced a towering display in defence alongside captain Micky van de Ven to help Spurs win at Stamford Bridge for only a second time in the Premier League era.

Tottenham boasted a terrible record of one win from their previous 41 visits to Chelsea, but turned history on its head with a dominant display on Saturday to walk away with three points after Mike Penders’ own-goal and a superb solo effort by Mathys Tel.

“I could see that it meant a lot to the fans,” Van Hecke said.

“Everyone is buzzing. Massive result, I think fully deserved. We played some really, really good football. We worked really hard, so I’m really happy.

“Of course we knew before the game that we didn’t win here for a long time and this gives a lot of confidence.

“So, let’s keep going.

“For the fans, of course, it was a great day. For us as well, so enjoy and then we need to keep going.”

Spurs had endured a slow start to the campaign after a summer of lavish spending where Van Hecke was one of 10 players to join with £380million committed on new signings.

De Zerbi’s team had produced encouraging displays even in defeats to Newcastle and Aston Villa while they were unfortunate in draws with Everton and Manchester United, which helped exude calm internally before Monday’s win over Coventry.

That 3-1 victory lifted Tottenham off the bottom of the table and it was followed by a complete display against rivals Chelsea to end the Stamford Bridge hoodoo along with providing a lift-off moment for De Zerbi’s project.

“He’s loved,” Van Hecke said of De Zerbi.

“I love him as well. So no, he’s a top manager and everyone’s really happy here.

“Of course, I know his ideas and I know how he wants to play. I know what he wants from me.

“As I said in the first games, we did this as well, but (here) we get better and better because it needs time, you know, but this was great.

“It all went well, and I think you could see our quality.”

De Zerbi’s decision to finally hand £85million recruit Mateus Fernandes an opportunity in midfield with Sandro Tonali and the surprise choice to recall Tel paid off significantly.

James Maddison also help Spurs instantly claim control at Stamford Bridge before he was forced off with a suspected groin issue, but De Zerbi hoped it was “not a big problem” for the influential playmaker.

“I think it’s not a very important problem,” De Zerbi said.