Chelsea suffered an extremely frustrating defeat at home to local rivals Fulham on Boxing Day.
Chelsea’s goalless draw with Everton last weekend was followed up on Thursday with the 2-1 loss against Fulham. Therefore, it’s just one point from their last two Premier League games, which has put the brakes on a superb season for the Blues.
Frank Lebouef was reluctant to call Chelsea title contenders a week ago. Well, the last two results suggest that Enzo Maresca’s young side are very much still a work in progress.
Meanwhile, Liverpool have managed to pull even further clear at the top of the division after yesterday’s festive results.
| Position | Team | Played MP | Won W | Drawn D | Lost L | For GF | Against GA | Diff GD | Points Pts |
| 1 |  LiverpoolLiverpool | 17 | 13 | 3 | 1 | 40 | 17 | 23 | 42 |
| 2 |  ChelseaChelsea | 18 | 10 | 5 | 3 | 38 | 21 | 17 | 35 |
| 3 |  Nottm ForestNottingham Forest | 18 | 10 | 4 | 4 | 24 | 19 | 5 | 34 |
| 4 |  ArsenalArsenal | 17 | 9 | 6 | 2 | 34 | 16 | 18 | 33 |
Alan Shearer makes Chelsea prediction after Fulham defeat
Alan Shearer has predicted that Chelsea will end up finishing in the top four after their Fulham loss on Boxing Day. Interestingly, he adds that he can see the Blues winning a trophy this season by lifting the Conference League in Europe.
Shearer told BBC’s Match of the Day (26 December): “I think when you look at where they are now, there is no doubt they would have taken it. I still think they will finish in the top four, which would be a brilliant achievement for them and I still think they will win the Conference League also. So they will be really happy with the things that have happened at Stamford Bridge [since Enzo Maresca took charge].”
Chelsea have a six-point cushion over Newcastle United in fifth, so a top-four finish should be a minimum target for the rest of the season.
In terms of the Conference League, Maresca’s side breezed through qualification with six wins out of six in the group phase.
Axel Disasi claims Chelsea are desperate to win the Conference League, which is a competition that they’re huge favourites in.
Simon Jordan’s Chelsea prediction still on track
Unlike most pundits in their pre-season predictions, Simon Jordan tipped Chelsea for a top-four finish in the Premier League.
Even after back-to-back disappointing results, the Blues still find themselves in a very healthy position. In fact, it’ll be great now to see how they respond to the disappointment.
Chelsea finished sixth last season in the league with 63 points. Unless there’s a dramatic drop off, they should surpass that tally as this young group of players continues on its upward trajectory.
The Blues should consider the campaign a success if they get themselves back in the Champions League.
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