Azpilicueta delivers title warning to Chelsea teammates after Tottenham slip-up
By Matt Bullin
Chelsea defender Cesar Azpilicueta has claimed his side have their hands on the title after Tottenham slipped up versus West Ham on Friday, but says his side has to remain “focused”.
The Hammers beat Spurs 1-0 at the London Stadium thanks to a Manuel Lanzini goal, effectively ending their title chances.
Mauricio Pochettino’s side now sit four points behind the league leaders, who face Middlesbrough on Monday night at Stamford Bridge.
If the Blues can get a victory versus relegation battlers Boro they will go seven points clear at the top with just three games to go, meaning they could wrap up the title next week.
Speaking to the Evening Standard, Azpilicueta said: “We know every team will play their best, [Middlesbrough] will play a difficult game. But we have the title in our hands and we can’t let it go.
“We will take every game as it is, yet we know three of our last four games are at home, so it’s in our control. We have to be focused but it’s all up to us.”
The 27-year-old has been a mainstay of Chelsea’s defence this term and had made 42 appearances in all competitions.
If Middlesbrough do pull off an unlikely result against Antonio Conte’s side, not only will they keep their own survival chances alive, but they will open the door for Spurs again.
Next up for Tottenham is a massive match at White Hart Lane against fifth-placed Man United on Sunday.
The match marks the final match ever to be played at the ground which has been Spurs’ home for 118 years.
In other Tottenham news, Leon Britton has heaped praise on the club, singling these two players out in particular.
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