Chelsea’s already fading Premier League title chances took another blow over the weekend when they were defeated by Sunderland, and league leaders Arsenal picked up another victory.
Enzo Maresca oversaw his side being beaten at Stamford Bridge by a last-minute winner, while Blues fans inside the stadium showed their frustration at the man in charge.
Chelsea supporters did not react well to Alejandro Garnacho being subbed off, less than an hour after he had opened the scoring with his first goal for the club.
The Blues are already eight points off the pace at the top of the table after the Gunners secured a narrow 1-0 win against Crystal Palace, a game Chelsea could only muster a draw to start the campaign.
Arsenal ‘not ruling out’ Chelsea in Premier League title race
Despite the gap already forming, Graeme Bailey has exclusively told The Chelsea Chronicle that Arsenal, as well as the other big sides in the Premier League, are refusing to rule out Chelsea as a potential challenger this season.
He said: “As a club, they don’t talk about ‘being favourites’, they know it’s a long haul and they know there’s at least another two teams in Liverpool and City, who can win it. I also know that none of them are ruling Chelsea out just yet.
“So, yeah, they’re calm and collected. They’re eager not to be too high with the highs and not to be too low with the lows.”
Chelsea will face the Gunners at Stamford Bridge on November 30, a game which could see the return of Cole Palmer.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta embraces with Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca before competing in a Premier League match.
Photo by David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images
Chelsea chiefs not targeting a title yet
Despite the money spent and the return of silverware to Stamford Bridge last season, there are currently no ambitions from Todd Boehly and Behdad Eghbali to deliver the Premier League title just yet.
It was reported before the season got underway that Maresca was tasked with a top four finish again, maintaining their place in the Champions League in the process.
The Blues are off to a strong start in that competition, winning twice to make up for defeat on the opening day against Bayern Munich.
Chelsea fans will soon begin to become impatient if they continue to accept that they are not in a race to win the league though, with them still waiting for their first domestic trophy since the new owners took over.