Chelsea left it late to beat Crystal Palace on Saturday and maintain a slim hope of catching league leaders Man City.
Hakim Ziyech's 89th-minute winner secured all three points in the Blues' return to Premier League action after winning the FIFA Club World Cup.
A scorer out in the United Arab Emirates, striker Romelu Lukaku returned to England and had an off afternoon with only seven touches throughout the game and was sent a message by coach Thomas Tuchel which absolved the formation of any blame as to why the striker was poor.
With time running out to close the gap to City and second-placed Liverpool, the next few games will be crucial and the fixtures have been compared to see who has an advantage over the next few weeks.
Have your say! Are Chelsea out of the title race or can they close the gap to City over the next five games? Let us know what you think in the comments below...
Formation not to blame
Romelu Lukaku was unable to stamp his authority on Saturday's game against Crystal Palace.
In fact, the striker had only seven touches throughout the game as the Blues went on to win 1-0.
Coach Tuchel dismissed the idea that the formation deployed at Selhurst Park played a contributing factor towards the Belgian's poor game.
Speaking to beIN SPORTS, he said: "We always attack in a 4-1, it’s just for the build-up sometimes we build-up in a 3-2 and sometimes in a 4-1. For him it changed nothing."
Lukaku's Rudiger demand
Lukaku's low-touch display on the road wasn't all his fault, according to football.london .
It would be easy take a look at the stats and point the finger at the former Manchester United and Inter striker.
But his movement off the ball was that of a player wanting to get involved in the game and on one occasion was seen telling defender Antonio Rudiger where he wanted the ball played.
The German defender failed to release the ball and nothing came of the move.
Top three fixtures compared
Liverpool came from behind to beat Norwich City on Saturday afternoon, hours before league leaders Man City slipped up against Tottenham Hotspur.
The gap at the top is now only six points with the Reds having a game in hand.
In third place sits Chelsea, seven points behind Liverpool having played the same number of games.
Though it's highly unlikely, it's not impossible the Blues win the Premier League and football.london has taken a look at each team's next five fixtures with the title race still open.
