It was a big weekend for Chelsea's title ambitions, with Arsenal and Liverpool failing to win what could be seen as routine home games, while Manchester City's slump continued with a dramatic late derby defeat to Manchester United.
Enzo Maresca's side defeated Brentford 2-1 at Stamford Bridge to make it five wins in a row in the Premier League and reduce the gap to leaders Liverpool to just two points. Chelsea are the form team in the league and have been dating for longer than you might think.
Chelsea are the form team now
Since losing to Newcastle in mid-March, nine months ago, Chelsea have won more Premier League games than any other team. In fact, they have amassed 61 points in that period, six more than Arsenal and Manchester City. Seven more than Liverpool.
Mauricio Pochettino started showing signs of change in the spring and Maresca have built on that momentum. Fears about Chelsea's consistency appear unfounded. If they keep the form of the last 28 games for the next 22 games, they can do it.
Man City's slump opens
One of the main reasons for optimism is that Premier League titles are not won and lost in a vacuum, but they are also dependent on the efforts of others – and Chelsea may not have to overcome the same level of competition as in previous seasons.
Timing is everything when it comes to title tilts. Arsenal got 89 points last season, but that was not enough. Liverpool finished second in recent times, despite achieving 92 points and even 97 points. Man City's consistency changed the game.
But with Liverpool top of the table while on course for 91 points, it wouldn't be a huge surprise if the final number of points needed dips into the 80s this time around. That offers a rare opening and Chelsea's form over an extended period suggests they could seize it.
Cole Palmer can propel them to the title
Special players can make the difference and Chelsea have one of the very best players in Cole Palmer. The England international has scored 11 goals in the Premier League this season, putting him behind only Erling Haaland and Mohamed Salah in the charts.
But scoring goals is just part of what Palmer has to offer to the Chelsea team as he roams the pitch discovering how to make things happen for his team. No player in the Premier League has created more chances than Palmer this season.
At 22, the responsibility has come early, but he seems to be someone who carries that weight lightly. His Panenka-esque penalty against Tottenham is just the latest hint of the confidence he exudes. He has the ability to propel Chelsea to the title.
No distractions in the Champions League
The difference with Palmer is that he has been able to focus his energy on the Premier League and that could be a determining factor in this title race. Chelsea have not even registered their star player to participate in the first phase of the UEFA Conference League.
Compare that to how Saka and Salah have already had to compete on multiple fronts this season, each playing more than seven hours of Champions League football and receiving more minutes in the Carabao Cup than Palmer. He should be fresher.
All 16 starts this season have come in the Premier League and that principle also applies to other key figures at Chelsea. The Champions League is a demanding competition and could take some of the attention away from domestic affairs in the spring.
That's a challenge that Arsenal and Liverpool still have to deal with. For Chelsea, the priorities are clearer. Their previous Premier League title win came under Antonio Conte in 2016/17, when he was completely out of Europe. Maybe there is a possibility of a repeat.
Superior squad depth at Chelsea?
Even if Chelsea have to rotate as the season progresses and injuries take their toll, the Conference League campaign could be a help rather than a hindrance. It has given Maresca the opportunity to ensure that so many of its players are match fit.
That could be a real problem elsewhere. For example, at Liverpool, Wataru Endo has only had a few starts in the Carabao Cup. Since his brief spell at West Ham last month, Raheem Sterling has been an unused substitute in Arsenal's last five games.
But Chelsea have already used 32 players this season, allowing Maresca to give minutes to those on the fringes of the first team thanks to the European matches. It has worked well. Marc Guiu, Joao Felix and Christopher Nkunku scored fifteen goals together.
As a result, there is more reason to believe they will be willing to contribute to the Premier League team if the need arises. It's been a turbulent few years at Chelsea. But there is growing hope that it will soon look like a perfect storm.
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