Garry Monk was delighted Cambridge showed their true ability over the Easter weekend.
The U’s had only previously won successive league games once all season but made it a six-point haul after seeing off Wigan 3-1.
Gassan Ahadme marked his first start since December with a brace to add to his goal at Barnsley on Good Friday, before Danny Andrew sealed the points with a brilliant late free-kick.
Wigan had made eight changes following their draw with Burton and were unable to force an equaliser after Martial Godo had pulled it back to 2-1.
“We all knew that’s within them,” said Monk. “We dipped below that in the two games before. But I think what we’ve seen in these two games is proof of what we kind of knew; what was under the bonnet.
“It was a different type of performance today. It was a little bit scrappy at times, but I think overall the level of commitment to these two games has been huge and they’ve got the deserved results.
“It’s given us a great boost but we’ve got to be mindful there’s still more work to do. We’re not going to rest on our laurels because we’ve had six points and a couple of good performances. We need more. That’s what we’re going to push for.”
On forward Ahadme, Monk added: “He came on against Barnsley and was a machine.
“It’s exactly what we need. He sets the tone at the front in these last two games. I’m always looking from a centre-back point of view, thinking ‘would I like to play against that?’ He’s deceptively strong, he’s willing, he’s game and he’s got quality.”
Shaun Maloney was not too downbeat about Wigan’s performance but rued the key moments in which Cambridge scored their goals.
“In the really key moments they were better than us,” Maloney said. “They had two one-v-ones in our box, they get the first contact and score.
“In terms of general performance I can’t ask too much more.
“We dominated the game for large parts with the ball, we created chances, but in the really key moments we couldn’t take ours. Whenever they had a cross or a set play they took their chance.
“I need to see the same sort of intensity and desire that we had against Blackpool, because we still needed points to get safe. I need to emphasise to the players we need more points. Not just players, me and the staff, everyone together.
“Ninety per cent of the performance I can’t criticise the players. It’s the really key ones where we have to defend the box or defend a second phase, that’s where the game was won and lost today.”
Last-chance saloon for Napoli in European race
Napoli's Serie A title defence has long since ended, and they must beat Fiorentina on Friday to have any hope of playing in Europe next season.
Napoli strolled to the Scudetto last year, clinching the title with five games to spare and finishing 16 points ahead of runners-up Lazio.
This time around, it was Inter who wrapped up the league with five games remaining, while Napoli sit ninth in the standings, 41 points adrift of the leaders with a Europa Conference League spot their only hope of playing in Europe.
Napoli are without a win in their last five games, though even if they can get back to winning ways, their European hopes would be out of their own hands due to having played a game more than Fiorentina.
Fiorentina have won three of their last five league matches, and won the previous meeting between the sides 3-1, which could prove vital they end the season level on points and the head-to-head record comes into play.
Vincenzo Italiano's side have already qualified for this season's Europa Conference League final, where they face Greek side Olympiacos in Athens.
The Viola, unbeaten in Europe this season, are aiming to end the league campaign on a high and take that momentum into the final - they are looking to go one better than last year when they lost to West Ham in the final.
Napoli are likely to be without top scorer Victor Osimhen, who is a serious doubt due to a muscular problem. Fiorentina, meanwhile, welcome back Andre Belotti who missed Monday's win over Monza.
Ronaldo motivated to keep playing at top level
Cristiano Ronaldo has no intention of stopping as he says he is still motivated to compete with the "young lions" coming through in the game.
Ronaldo is reportedly considering signing a contract extension to keep him at Al-Nassr until June 2026, taking him past his 41st birthday.
The Portugal international has scored 42 goals in 41 appearances for the Saudi Pro League club this season, and he insists he is still motivated to keep going.
Speaking on the Whoop podcast, he said: "I feel proud to have this age and still compete at the highest level. It's great, and it gives me motivation to carry on.
"If you look at my career for the last 20 years, my level is high. If you are top for 20 years, it's unbelievable.
"I do that, and I continue to do that. For me, it's a big achievement."
Ronaldo has scored an incredible 891 goals in his career and is the all-time leading scorer in men’s international football with 128 goals.
"My biggest motivation is to carry on," he added. "It's not easy to be at this level.
"To still push, to still motivate, to carry on, to score goals, to be in good shape, to compete with the young lions that are coming and that when they play against me, they want to show me that they are stronger and faster than me.
"You have to prepare very well, not just physically but mentally, too. This is the challenge.
"Talent without work is nothing and work without talent is nothing. They have to work together at the same time. I have both. I can't say that I have more of one than the other.
"Small details will make the difference. Consistency is the most difficult thing.
"Are you willing to do that? That's the main point, because everyone wants to be Cristiano, but doing it is difficult. Discipline is the most difficult thing."
Vilahamn wants to use FA Cup final defeat as 'beginning' for Tottenham Women
Tottenham Women manager Robert Vilahamn believes his side will use their FA Cup final defeat to start something special, rather than ending their good work.
Spurs were hammered 4-0 by Manchester United Women in Sunday's Wembley Stadium showpiece as Ella Toone and Rachel Williams were on target before Lucia Garcia's second-half double.
Vilahamn's side failed to manage a shot on target but the Spurs boss suggested his team will catch up to the women's elite clubs.
"The main thing I said was this is not the end, it is the beginning," Vilahamn said.
"We still have a gap between us and the top teams but that's normal. We are closing the gap but we haven't closed the gap yet."
Tottenham finished sixth in the Women's Super League as well as reaching this final, their first FA Cup showpiece appearance in their short history.
Vilahamn wants his Spurs players to use this defeat as motivation going forward.
"If you take away the feelings right now, you need to look at these players doing some incredible things this year," he said.
"We are at Wembley playing in front of our fans and they are actually enjoying it and staying, and supporting us after.
"We got a good experience today and we are learning how to play at Wembley more times. We need to look at it that way because the players are amazing."
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