Chelsea manager Antonio Conte has set his side the challenge of winning "every game" if they wish to retain the Premier League title this season.
The Blues stormed to the championship last term by winning 30 of their games and losing just five, but have already fallen to three defeats this term with 11 games played.
By contrast, Manchester City remain unbeaten in the league - dropping just two points - and have a nine-point advantage over Conte's side at the top of the table.
"If you want to try to catch them, you have to win every game," Conte told reporters today. "But as you know very well in this league, it's very difficult to win every game.
"You have a difficulty when you play against a team that is in the relegation zone. For example after the international break last time, we lost against Crystal Palace.
"I think we have to remember this and to understand that if you want to fight for the title, it's very important to win and not drop any points."
Next up for Chelsea in the league is a trip to West Bromwich Albion on Saturday afternoon ahead of a tough encounter at Liverpool a week later.
Neil Wilkes
