Chelsea opened up a ten point lead at the top of the Premier League with a 3-1 win over Paul Clement’s Swansea City over the weekend, tightening their grip on the trophy they failed to defend last season.
The Blues, who won the title under Jose Mourinho in 2014/15 before finishing tenth last time out, have been a revelation under Antonio Conte and have taken full advantage of having a settled schedule, without European commitments.
Speaking after the win over the Swans, one of the stars of this season’s run Victor Moses, made it clear that the squad are not looking at the Premier League table and remain in a game-by-game mind set, regardless of their growing lead atop the pile.
However, with Liverpool losing as well as both Manchester clubs and Arsenal out of Premier League action over the weekend the west Londoners continued to clear themselves from the chasing pack, who will be increasingly concerned over what each other are doing, as opposed to catching Conte’s side.
The in-form side of the five sides battling out for the three remaining Champions League spots, Manchester United, will be of the biggest concern to the former Juventus and Italy boss, however, their poor form earlier on in the campaign means their current impressive run, being unbeaten in the league since October, has come too late.
Furthermore, whilst those who were not playing this week have a game in hand, they also play into the hands of the league leaders.
Pep Guardiola and Jose Mourinho were set to face off in the third Manchester derby of the season over the weekend, meaning any winner there will damage another in the race for the top four, whilst Arsenal were set to face Southampton, a side who have arguably been their bogey team in recent years.
Therefore, even though the Chelsea players will continue to stick to the line that the Premier League table is of no concern to them until they are confirmed as champions, should they take a glance it would become apparent that their sensational form this season has propelled them into a league of their own, whilst the chasing pack scrap amongst themselves for a place at the Champions League table.