David Luiz dedicated Chelsea’s win over Manchester City to his fellow Brazilians and the tragic Chapecoense team in particular after a sobering week in football.

Second-half goals from Diego Costa , Willian and Eden Hazard gave Chelsea a 3-1 win over Pep Guardiola’s side, who finished with nine men after stoppage-time red cards for Sergio Aguero and Fernandinho.

The elation of victory was though tempered for Luiz by this week’s plane crash in Columbia in which all but three of the Chapecoense side were killed alongside journalists and the plane’s crew.

The professing Christian had friends on the aircraft and called for players and fans to remember those left behind in prayer.

“I give this victory to the people in Brazil because it was a difficult week for us and especially for Chapcoense,” he said.

“I had some friends there, so it was difficult to prepare the head to play this kind of game.

“Now I think we just need to pray for the families that God will comfort their hearts because it is difficult for everybody.”

Luiz sidestepped questions about The Blues’ win sending a message to their title rivals, but did agree the victory meant more with them having to come from behind to upset City in their own backyard.

“It is better we came from behind to win. It showed our power and our plan. Sometimes you can concede a goal especially here with so many amazing players,” he said.

“We showed the character in our team in that we didn’t lose our heads and in the second half we came back.”

Luiz , who might have been sent off in the first half for a foul on Aguero, also refused to debate the tackle on him which saw the City striker shown a straight red in stoppage-time.

“I don’t like to speak about these things because sometimes other players are frustrated by the result of the game and things like that,” he added.

“Aguero is an amazing player who scores a lot of goals and gives a lot to football.”