The Premier League table is a much prettier sight than reality for Chelsea right now. Somehow Enzo Maresca's side are still sitting fourth. It certainly does not feel like it.
Toxicity and anger towards not only the sporting directors in charge of piecing together a squad lacking depth up front, goalscoring wingers, midfield support, defensive leaders, and a creditable first-choice goalkeeper, but also Maresca has grown. He was booed on Sunday after the defeat away to Arsenal.
Chelsea had the chance in north London to take advantage of Manchester City drawing 2-2 at home to Brighton one day earlier. The buffer to fifth place - which is almost certain to be enough to secure Champions League football next season - could have been four points. At this stage, and with the matches to come, it would have been priceless.
Arsenal could also have been within reach. However, Mikel Merino's looped header was enough to condemn Chelsea to a fourth Premier League away defeat in a row.
The battle to finish in the top five remains. Nottingham Forest cruised past Wolves and have cemented themselves in third. They are currently seven ahead of Newcastle United but having played a game more.
If Eddie Howe's side now win their game in hand, and they are high on confidence after overcoming Liverpool to lift the Carabao Cup, then Chelsea will slide down a place. City will drop out of the Champions League spots but Chelsea's form and trajectory is the most alarming.
Brighton and Fulham are still in the mix. Aston Villa and Bournemouth are further back and unlikely to mount a top five challenge but given the inconsistency of all involved they cannot be ruled out entirely. Chelsea, meanwhile, are having an existential crisis over their position and plans as a club.
Those problems will only worsen should they not qualify for the Champions League. In fact, as the situation takes on a more ugly tone by the week, it is winning the Conference League that starts to look like Chelsea's best route into Europe.
Here, football.london looks at the remaining games and how the end of the season could shape up.
Chelsea toughest five Premier League fixtures remaining:
Brentford (A) - Sunday, April 6.
Fulham (A) - Sunday, April 20.
Liverpool (H) - Saturday, May 3.*
Newcastle United (A) - Saturday, May 10.*
Nottingham Forest (A) - Sunday, May 25.
*Subject to change
football.london verdict: It says a lot about the quality of Manchester United and Tottenham that they do not make this list because Chelsea still have to play both at Stamford Bridge before the end of the season. They will have eyes on the Europa League but can still not be passed off as an easy win.
Chelsea's other fixtures look considerably harder. Their away form has completely deserted them, with the last victory coming at Tottenham on December 8. Since then they have lost five of the seven played on the road in the league, scoring only three times.
Brentford and Fulham are always tricky tests, especially with the latter being up Chelsea's tail in the race for Europe. Liverpo9ol are likely to be crowned as champions by the time they visit SW6 but won't be keen to let Chelsea get away with one.
The final two weeks involved trips to St. James' Park and the City Ground. Newcastle and Forest will be more than up for spoiling Chelsea's end-of-season with so much at stake. Maresca has struggle to get his team up for away matches and these matches will be in a cauldron of noise and passion.
Chelsea's home form will have to carry them through but right now there is no confidence that it will play out that way or that it will be enough.
Manchester City toughest five Premier League fixtures remaining:
Manchester United (A) - Sunday, April 6.
Crystal Palace (H) - Saturday, April 12.
Everton (A) - Saturday, April 19.
Aston Villa (H) - Monday, April 28.
Bournemouth (H) - Sunday, May 18.*
*Subject to change
football.london verdict: Manchester City are not at their best but this is a comfortable run-in. They have Southampton, Wolves, and Leicester City all to play which are extremely kind, with only the Manchester derby a real threat.
Bournemouth and Palace could be dangerous opponents, whilst Everton are resurgent under David Moyes, but these are not games that City will be scared of playing. Pep Guardiola's side are deeply flawed but they should have enough to get themselves into the top five and it would not be a shock if they leapt ahead of Chelsea and also Forest.
Nottingham Forest toughest five Premier League fixtures remaining:
Aston Villa (A) - Saturday, April 5.
Crystal Palace (A) - Saturday, May 3.*
Everton (H) - Saturday, April 12.
Brentford (H) - Saturday, April 21.
Chelsea (H) - Sunday, May 25.*
*Subject to change
football.london verdict: Forest have a buffer and they, like City, have a good last nine on paper. Under the pressure and with the weight of expectation to get over the line there is a complication but given how good Forest have been for 29 matches, it would be a surprise to see them throw it away from here.
Their fixtures are very similar to City's and includes the visit of Manchester United after the international break. It is now hard to bet against them being in the top five.
Newcastle United toughest five Premier League fixtures remaining:
Aston Villa (A) - Saturday, April 19.
Brentford (H) - Wednesday, April 2.
Brighton (A) - Sunday, May 3.*
Chelsea (H) - Saturday, May 10.*
Arsenal (A) - Sunday, May 18.*
*Subject to change
football.london verdict: This is a harder set compared to City and Forest but Newcastle will be buoyed by their Wembley exploits. They can smell blood when it comes to Chelsea and have the physicality and weapons to cause serious issues.
The form has not been great for Howe of late, but prior to a recent blip they were surging up the table. Newcastle now have the momentum that is perhaps only matched by Forest in the race for the top five. Their fixtures are hard but there is energy in the northeast now unmatched anywhere else.
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Chelsea flag prior the UEFA Champions League Quarter Final Leg One match between Chelsea FC and Real Madrid at Stamford Bridge. (Photo by Jose Breton/Pics Action/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
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