This was the kind of result to drain any lingering optimism from the chasing pack. A victory to drum in the reality that, for all Antonio Conte’s protestations to the contrary, Chelsea’s pursuit of the title has taken on the feel of a procession. They weathered some turbulence at times here, their backline heaving to stay intact, but were pierced so deep into stoppage time that the concession hardly even registered with a dwindling home support. The lead over second place gapes at 10 points again. There is no stopping this side and no hope at all for those who still dare to count themselves contenders.
Everything about them is relentless at present and that alone is enough to deflate most opponents. Chelsea have dropped 15 points all season and, such is their dominance, it would take a cataclysmic collapse, probably combined with the untimely loss of a number of key players to injury, to hand either Manchester City or Tottenham Hotspur even a scent in the chase.
Related: Chelsea restore 10-point lead at top of Premier League after win at West Ham
Related: Antonio Conte says his Chelsea players will not slip up in title race
Continue reading...