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Some will say that this has happened for a while. Some will call it a reality test. Others will say that it was a bad day at the office. Anyway, Saturday's 3-1 defeat against Tottenham was a blow to the team and a rude awakening for the real fight against Chelsea this season: the top four. Chelsea are now two points behind the Spurs and one point ahead of Arsenal.
Chelsea's 18 undefeated matches may have aroused much expectations among fans and players, although Maurizio Sarri has always held the lead equal to the defending champion, Manchester City, which is clearly ahead of all the others – even Liverpool, who has the best chance of making this season a two-horse race rather than just a canter of the city.
If such expectations existed, the defeat of the weekend would surely bring them back to more realistic levels. Here is Eden Hazard, for example, who has never been afraid to make an informed badessment of Chelsea's odds, whether good or bad.
"We expect to finish in the top four, not to be the champions. We know that City is not much better than Chelsea but they are better at the moment. "
" In which areas is City better? Many things: possession; when they have chances, they score; maybe defensively they are better. They have the best players. Is it also due to their regularity, winning game after match? Yes of course. They have been in good shape since last year and we have to be back like that. "
Hard to disagree with him on any of these points, especially after Chelsea was completely dazzled by the Spurs at Wembley this weekend. From the beginning of the match, the hosts pushed Chelsea back, showing insight and surpbading the former top-flight team in London. Combining flawless speed to squeeze and counter, strength and intelligence to find room and exploit certain encounters, they executed their game plan to perfection.
And, in fact, it could have been a lot worse. The (-2) impact on our goal differential is almost a reprieve given the quality and the number of chances left behind.
"It could have been a lot worse Saturday. Everything was bad against the Spurs. Against Tottenham, it will always be difficult to play a draw 2-0. We tried to push but it was not enough. It was a bad day, we have to move forward and try to bounce back. "
But there is no reason to cry about spilled milk. Chelsea must regain its means of winning and, after a thankless match in the Europa League, we have a great chance to do it against one of the worst teams in the Premier League up to now, the rival of the neighborhood , Fulham. An unparalleled opportunity to start another long undefeated race – just look at Arsenal who has not lost since their stint on the bridge 17 games ago (now the best brand in Europe).
"When you lose one, you do not want to make two. We have to win, we have to play better and win again. We want to do another unbeaten race now. We want to take points. The goal is to finish among the top four. In the Premier League anything can happen. "
" Next Sunday we can beat Fulham and the other teams may lose points. There is no need to panic. We played well in football. We have shown since the beginning of the season that we are a good team. So, do not panic, just try to forget this game. "
Mental, physical, tactical … whatever the reason, the solution must be found.
" I do not think it's a mental problem. We have the best players in the team, we have players who can play under pressure. When we lose, you can always find an excuse, but Tottenham was simply better. I do not think we are complacent after our invincibility.
"We just have to badyze why we lost and then try not to do it again."
– Eden Hazard; Source: London Evening Standard
It is essential not to lose.
From now on!
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