:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/29730107/477305021.0.jpg)
Jose Mourinho has been working hard all season to play down our hopes and dreams. From unhatched eggs and little horses to inexperience and a lack of consistent winning, killer mentality, he's tried very hard to keep expectations in check.
But after Saturday's win, not even he can deny that the season's primary objective has basically been achieved. While there are still nine matches left (and up to twelve left for others), something immensely tragic would have to happen for Chelsea to not finish in the top four. With a thirteen-point lead on Spurs in fifth and at least a fifteen-point lead on Manchester United in sixth, it's a safe bet to start etching our name on the Arsenal Trophy.
"The top four is ours to lose, now we are 13 points from Tottenham and 18 from Man United and Everton. Objective number one, the top four, is in our pocket, now let's go for objective two, which is the top three and automatic qualification for the Champions League."
-Jose Mourinho; source: Chelsea FC
Assuming maximum points for all the games-in-hand that our three rivals have, the top four are separated by just four points. That's a race that might just go down to the wire.
Manchester City's goal differential advantage may be unassailable, but our clubhouse lead* should give us extra confidence going into every match, while keeping the pressure firmly planted on City, Liverpool and Arsenal. It's unlikely that Chelsea or any of the other guys win out, but we are in the enviable position of having the psychological advantage. And sometimes, as Tim Sherwood lamented post-match, it's the psychological aspect that's the most important part of the game.
* it's spreading, even Arlo White used it on the NBC broadcast!
