CHRIS SUTTON: I’m still tipping Chelsea to lift the Premier League title… but they need to get Romelu Lukaku fit and firing to have a chance
- Chelsea lost 3-2 to West Ham United to lose their lead at the top of the table
- The Blues are now third behind both Liverpool and new leaders Manchester City
- Chelsea need to get Romelu Lukaku fit again, like he was earlier in the season
At 12.30pm, it was Chelsea who were top. At 5pm, it was Liverpool. At 7.30pm, it was Manchester City. It’s anyone’s guess who wins it.
I’ve tipped Chelsea to emerge as eventual champions. A stumble here and there — defeat at West Ham, drawing at home to Burnley — won’t make me change my mind.
Although Chelsea do need to get back on track and get Romelu Lukaku fit and firing, like he was at the start of this season.
Thomas Tuchel embraces Romelu Lukaku after Chelsea’s 3-2 defeat to West Ham on Saturday
Lukaku had previously been injured in Chelsea’s victory over Malmo in the Champions League
Thomas Tuchel and his players went to bed on Saturday night knowing that, for the first time since October 1, they weren’t top of the table.
That isn’t necessarily a bad thing. Being hunted down week after week can be exhausting.
When Blackburn won the Premier League in 1994-95 we felt the presence of Manchester United behind us but thankfully we held on to be crowned champions.
Sometimes it’s nice to be the ones doing the chasing rather than being chased.
Chelsea can have a go at that now but they need to regain a ruthless streak. Too many slip-ups and City could start to pull away.