Despite Chelsea's narrow 2-1 win over Brentford nudging them closer to the Premier League leaders, head coach Enzo Maresca is firm in his belief that his squad isn't yet in the title race.
The Blues' vulnerability was on display as they conceded a late goal, which Maresca pointed to as a sign that they are not ready for a title challenge, despite going within two points of Liverpool at the top.
Marc Cucurella and Nicolas Jackson netted for Chelsea, but Bryan Mbeumo's last-gasp strike for Brentford put the result in doubt. "No matter how many games we are going to win, I think we're not ready to compete for the title," Maresca insisted.
"One of the reasons is I think the team that knows how to compete to win titles will not concede a goal like we concede. On 90 minutes, a throw-in for us and we concede a goal. A team that knows how to win titles, that goal they're not going to concede. It's why I continue to say that we are not ready for titles.
"Even if you don't believe me. I would love the pressure to compete for the title. But we cannot concede the goal we concede and open the game and give them the chance to take a point here."
Post-match saw Chelsea's Cucurella receive a second yellow card for an altercation with Brentford's Kevin Schade, leading to a suspension. Reflecting on the incident, Maresca said: "The referee said the second yellow card was for bad attitude. I was with the coaching staff celebrating so I didn't see anything.
"We could do many things better. The way to manage some moments, probably this is one of the moments we can improve. The spirit of the team, sometimes you can receive some yellow cards, probably the second one is not the correct thing to do. It's things that we need to improve.
"Cucu will be suspended and there'll be another one in his place. Pedro (Neto) was suspended tonight and Noni (Madueke's) performance was top. When they are suspended, another one will play."