Cesc is my man of the match and I have understood why he hasn't started more games this season but he is essential to opening up teams with this formation. I don't pretend to know how but we need to find a way to incorporate him into the team all the time to take advantage of his passing range because he is the best in the world at finding the open pass.

Fabregas is just class

Great interview from Fabregas on sky. No bitching or moaning ( obviously he isn't going to moan on live tv ) but he genuinely sounded like he understood and accepts his role. Great professional and hopefully we keep him beyond this season. Real, Bayern, Barcelona, Juventus, they all have quality, not just in their first 11 but in their whole squad, we need the same going forward if we want to compete in the Champions League.

2 minutes ago, Zero said:

To be fair, they also won "Most-possesion-at-the-Wembley"-cup and "Ended Chelsea's winning-streak"-trophy.

13 minutes ago, Brutos said:

Conte goes over to clap the away fan's show me a manager with more class we need to move the absolute world to keep him hear for year's

MUST keep him happy in London and in Chelsea blue!!

just love that we are 14 points ahead of Liverpool with a game in hand - what about that Jurgen?

1 minute ago, carrickblue said:

just love that we are 14 points ahead of Liverpool with a game in hand - what about that Jurgen?

But wasn't it killing us when we were only 6 pts clear of them? 

1 minute ago, Scott Harris said:

Great interview from Fabregas on sky. No bitching or moaning ( obviously he isn't going to moan on live tv ) but he genuinely sounded like he understood and accepts his role. Great professional and hopefully we keep him beyond this season. Real, Bayern, Barcelona, Juventus, they all have quality, not just in their first 11 but in their whole squad, we need the same going forward if we want to compete in the Champions League.

We must keep Cesc. Costa is likely gone, which is sad as he won two PL titles here with one more win. But Cesc must stay. He has shown he can give us a lot.

Come on you Chelsea!! 

1 minute ago, carrickblue said:

just love that we are 14 points ahead of Liverpool with a game in hand - what about that Jurgen?

And 15 ahead of City, 19 ahead of United and the best of the lot..........21 points ahead of Arsenal.

Just now, Scott Harris said:

And 15 ahead of City, 19 ahead of United and the best of the lot..........21 points ahead of Arsenal.

Arsenal......bwaaaa ha ha ha ha 

Match of the Day highlights of today's game is on at 22:45 on BBC1 for those that are interested.

When we play like this; disciplined in defense and relentless with our attacking we have a chance to beat anyone. This felt like the games earlier in the season when we were on our winning streak. Did anyone feel tense at all? I was utterly calm the entire game.

1 minute ago, Bobbywoodhogan said:

But wasn't it killing us when we were only 6 pts clear of them? 

“They won 13 games in a row. Not bad. Can you imagine how annoying it is when you win 13 games in a row and there is still one team only six points behind?”

Nice mind games from Klopp. I think it was after that statement Liverpool started to fail miserably.

Almost there now! Professional performance against a poor Middlesbrough team. Fabregas had his magic hat on tonight and also thought Alonso had a great game. Would of been nice to score a few more and better Spurs goal difference but that's me just being greedy and rubbing more salt in their wounds after knocking them out of the FA Cup and giving them a sniff of a PL title before snatching it away! What a fabulous season this has turned out to be!

3 minutes ago, Bobbywoodhogan said:

But wasn't it killing us when we were only 6 pts clear of them? 

Chelsea extended their remarkable winning run to 13 games with victory over Stoke but – much to Klopp’s delight – they have not been able to extend any significant advantage.

“They won 13 games in a row. Not bad. Can you imagine how annoying it is when you win 13 games in a row and there is still one team only six points behind?” he said.

“It is unbelievably difficult in this league but we cannot have a look at Chelsea, they are unbelievably strong and they are on an outstanding run.

“We have to win our games and see where that takes us.”

Asked whether Liverpool could replicate a run similar to Chelsea’s Klopp, whose side have won four in succession, said: “You need to win 14! Nobody really thinks we can do it.

 

And they couldn't.......

2 minutes ago, Scott Harris said:

And 15 ahead of City, 19 ahead of United and the best of the lot..........21 points ahead of Arsenal.

I can't wait to play them in the final. I hope they don't change the 3-4-3, they are so wide open with that formation.

1 minute ago, Zero said:

“They won 13 games in a row. Not bad. Can you imagine how annoying it is when you win 13 games in a row and there is still one team only six points behind?”

Nice mind games from Klopp. I think it was after that statement Liverpool started to fail miserably.

 

Just now, carrickblue said:

Chelsea extended their remarkable winning run to 13 games with victory over Stoke but – much to Klopp’s delight – they have not been able to extend any significant advantage.

“They won 13 games in a row. Not bad. Can you imagine how annoying it is when you win 13 games in a row and there is still one team only six points behind?” he said.

“It is unbelievably difficult in this league but we cannot have a look at Chelsea, they are unbelievably strong and they are on an outstanding run.

“We have to win our games and see where that takes us.”

Asked whether Liverpool could replicate a run similar to Chelsea’s Klopp, whose side have won four in succession, said: “You need to win 14! Nobody really thinks we can do it.

 

And they couldn't.......

Right up there with Rafa's rant 

7 minutes ago, carrickblue said:

just love that we are 14 points ahead of Liverpool with a game in hand - what about that Jurgen?

remember the beginning of the season when liverpool and arsenal were touted to win the league over us? 

15 minutes ago, Bobbywoodhogan said:

Been a good Monday, won the bonus ball at work and then we smash Boro.

Your round then 

12 minutes ago, Scott Harris said:

Great interview from Fabregas on sky. No bitching or moaning ( obviously he isn't going to moan on live tv ) but he genuinely sounded like he understood and accepts his role. Great professional and hopefully we keep him beyond this season. Real, Bayern, Barcelona, Juventus, they all have quality, not just in their first 11 but in their whole squad, we need the same going forward if we want to compete in the Champions League.

The pundit(s) can piss off about trying to take the assist away from him. So what if Fabio got a touch. It was clearly going in one direction and that will defo go down as Fabregas as assist contrary to what interviewer said.

7 minutes ago, SeanWB said:

When we play like this; disciplined in defense and relentless with our attacking we have a chance to beat anyone. This felt like the games earlier in the season when we were on our winning streak. Did anyone feel tense at all? I was utterly calm the entire game.

I was really tense until the third goal..   Can't help it   :0)

Just three points from the title, leads to think back to the key moments this year:

August - late winners in the opener at the Bridge vs West Ham and on the road at Watford give us hope after last year's debacle.

October - total destruction of Everton and Man United at home builds confidence changes in Conte's system can make us contenders and puts early September failures behind us.

December - Huge come from behind wins at Man City and at Home to Spurs shows we are legitimate title contenders.

February - throttling of Arsenal at the Bridge continues the title march.

April - Solid wins home to Man City and at Everton shake off shock loss to Palace. Wins fend off Spurs challenge.

April FA Cup semi - does not need a lot of words. One of the most exciting Chelsea matches of the past several seasons. Statement game. Set the tone for the run in. Only team to put four past Spurs this year.

May - win one more of final three and win the title!! 

What huge signings this year in Kante, Alonso and Luiz.

What a year mates! Cannot wait for the celebration at the Bridge in a couple of weeks!!

Come on you Chelsea!! 

Brilliant win! Showed no mercy and no complacency tonight. This is what Conte has added to the team. Makes sure we put in 100% every game. Fabregas was brilliant. 2 assists and could of had more. Every time he got the ball, you knew he was going to do something. To get into double figures despite not having much starts is a phenomenal achievement. Imagine how much he would have if he was starting games. We need to keep him next season. All the CM we been linked with have similar traits to Kante but there is not one player who we could replace Fabregas with if he were to leave. Alonso was brilliant tonight too. Marginalised the threat by Traore and was such a threat offensively. He could of had a bloody hattrick. Matic apart from 1 dodgy pass was class tonight as well. Azpi as usual was his brilliant self, as was Luiz and Cahill who were top notch as well.

Sounding a bit greedy here but my two criticisms from tonight would be regarding Costa and Hazard. Costa scored and was decent but he ruins way too much moves. The amount of times he ruined an attack with a pass or trying to get past someone tonight was so frustrating. But he got to 20 league goals. It is just that we could of had more if he played to his best. The other one is Hazard. I thought he had a good game and I can understand him wanted to conserve himself a bit as we had the game wrapped from first minute really but I wish he had the mentality where he thinks to himself I am on 15 goals and just 5 behind to reach 20 for season. Can I push myself and get to 20 goals for the season with 4 games to play but he just did not. I mean we all know he cares about the team foremost then individual accolades but he could have really torn them apart if he wanted to and I was hoping he got a couple goals tonight because he has the ability to get to 20 plus goals.

Anyway, just a small gripe like I said. The positives hugely override the negatives and look 1 win away. KTBFFH!  

11 minutes ago, Scott Harris said:

Match of the Day highlights of today's game is on at 22:45 on BBC1 for those that are interested.

I still love this show even in the social media era.

1 minute ago, guddy69 said:

I was really tense until the third goal..   Can't help it   :0)

Normally I would be right there with you but you could see the players were focused from the opening gun. Pressing and moving like they deserved to win. That's Conte 100%.