Blues title challenge ‘maybe over’ – AVB

Chelsea manager Andre Villas-Boas conceded that his team’s title hopes are all but over following their 1-1 home draw against neighbours Fulham.

They have lost momentum since a recent victory against leaders Manchester City and the Boxing Day result was their third successive draw.

Villas-Boas declared after the City win that their title challenge was back on, but now accepts they face a tall order.

“We had reduced it [City’s lead] to seven points recently, but with City and Manchester United continuing to get the points they are getting, it will be difficult,” he said.

“That is the perspective we have to make. Maybe the Premier League is over for us at the moment.

“We’d targeted the December fixtures as an ideal situation to find out what would happen in the Premier League. We continue to do that.”

Chelsea were on course for a much needed victory but were pegged back by Clint Dempsey’s equaliser and were then unable to find a way past outstanding Fulham goalkeeper David Stockdale.

Villas-Boas added: “Our performance was good. We tried to get the second goal but Stockdale had a fantastic day.

“Fulham were very well organised in the first half. They were solid and compact and made things difficult for us.”

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