'Chelsea laid down title marker with demolition of Everton'
Sunday 6 November 2016 18:56, UK
Chelsea have been the best performers in the Premier League this season and are genuine title contenders, according to the Sunday Supplement panel.
Antonio Conte's side stormed to the top of the Premier League with a resounding 5-0 victory over Everton on Saturday.
Their rise to the summit has coincided with Conte's decision to revert to his favoured 3-4-3 formation - a decision which has seen Chelsea keep five consecutive league clean sheets.
And Jonathan Northcroft of The Sunday Times claims Conte's tactical shift has turned Chelsea into the league's most attractive side, capable of replicating the machine-like displays synonymous with Jose Mourinho's first spell at the club.
"There is a whiff of the early Mourinho days at Stamford Bridge at the moment," Northcroft told the Sunday Supplement. "The team looks like a machine, as it did when Mourinho first arrived at the club. The players know exactly what they're supposed to be doing.
"Nobody has won the league playing three at the back and this is the best team I've seen play three at the back. It's not just the system, it's the way Conte has the players buying into his philosophy.
"Eden Hazard is what he was two years ago, probably more so because he's got even more freedom. It's really impressive management, he's only had 11 games and Conte already looks embedded at the club.
"Chelsea have the squad depth the rival Manchester City - they've gone on this run without Willian, Michy Batshuayi and Oscar really being involved.
"They don't have Champions League football, they look superbly conditioned and they have a manager who refused to get carried away by the victory over Everton.
"At the moment Chelsea have been better than City so far this season since they changed system."
Everton manager Ronald Koeman claimed Chelsea were the best exponents of a back three he had faced during his career as a player and manager.
While the Dutchman may have been trying to move the focus away from the Toffees' poor performance, Steve Bates of the Sunday People was unyielding in his praise of Chelsea, who he feels are now genuine title challengers.
"Everyone appears to have bought into what Conte has done and against Everton they were absolutely devastating," Bates said. "Chelsea were as good as Everton were shocking, they tried to match Chelsea's three at the back and it didn't work, they were cut to ribbons.
"Chelsea look as though they've been playing in Conte's system forever, they were so comfortable in it.
"While other teams are struggling to find a shape or an identity, Conte has instantly given Chelsea something they haven't had since their first spell under Mourinho. It was spectacular to see.
"There was a firework display above Stamford Bridge before kick-off but the fireworks on the pitch were definitely more exciting.
"Chelsea have come under the radar a little bit with Manchester City and Liverpool getting the headlines but they put down a title marker against Everton. They have got to be taken a serious title contenders."
