Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca claims he cannot "smell" a title race, despite his side sitting second in the Premier League table.
The Blues are unbeaten in seven league matches heading into Sunday's clash with Brentford at Stamford Bridge and sit just four points behind leaders Liverpool, who play Fulham on Saturday.
Maresca's side have scored 12 goals in beating Aston Villa, Southampton and Tottenham in their last three league encounters to pull clear as Liverpool's chief challengers, but the Italian continues to doubt their title credentials.
He said: "You can smell that [a title race], you can feel that.
"Probably this is the reason why I said we are not ready, because we don't feel that and we don't smell that in this moment. Hopefully soon we can be there.
"I like to convince myself and convince the players that the only way to fight for something is just to be focused day-by-day.
"When you start to think about 'in two days, three days, one month, two months', it's the beginning of the bad times."
Chelsea are the league's highest scorers, with 35 goals to their name so far this season. They have netted at least three goals in their last three top-flight outings.
Only once before in the Blues' history have they scored three or more goals in four successive top-flight matches, doing so in November/December 1954 under Ted Drake en route to winning the title that season.
Slot 'couldn't have asked for more' from 10-man Liverpool
Liverpool boss Arne Slot conceded Liverpool's 2-2 draw with Fulham constitutes two points dropped but was proud of his side's efforts.
The Reds went behind to Andreas Pereira's early strike but were dealt a telling blow when Andy Robertson was sent off after just 17 minutes.
Having equalised through Cody Gakpo early in the second half, the hosts were then forced to come from behind again, Rodrigo Muniz scoring after 76 minutes and Diogo Jota equalising with four minutes to play.
Slot's side pushed hard for a winner but, having won 11 of their first 13 league games of the season, they have now drawn their last two.
The Liverpool manager told Sky Sports: "I don't think I could've asked for more from my players, especially after going down to 10 men.
"I couldn't have asked for more in terms of performance. Of course, we could have had two points more.
"We ended up with a draw and I don't think we can blame the referee for that. There were a few moments when I could have been given a yellow card.
"It's marginal moments and when some go against you, you think some will go for you but I haven't felt that here.
"We have to accept what VAR sees. I think Robbo might have been a bit too injured to keep going because normally he's faster than that, but it results in a red card."
O'Neil admits Ipswich defeat is 'big blow' as pressure intensifies
Wolves boss Gary O’Neil admitted Saturday's last-gasp defeat to Ipswich Town was tough to take, as the Tractor Boys piled further pressure on the under-fire head coach.
O'Neil's men thought they had at least earned themselves a point through Matheus Cunha's equaliser, which cancelled out Matt Doherty's own goal in the first half.
But Jack Taylor exposed Wolves' defensive woes once again as he popped up with a crucial header from a corner in the 94th minute, leaving O'Neil stunned after a second half mostly dominated by his team.
He told BBC Sport: “It is a big blow for the group. Especially with how we fought to get back into the game and be the better side for the second half.
“We were at maximum and felt like we would go on and win the game. To suffer that goal so late, the nature of the goal is crazy, which we have said already.”
Wolves have now lost four straight games and are four points adrift of Crystal Palace in 17th, with O’Neil admitting he is facing the biggest challenge of his managerial career as they fight for safety.
“I have worked at this level for three years and I have never had such a struggle to help the group cope with being at this level,” said O’Neil.
Wolves midfielder Tommy Doyle, who impressed from the substitutes' bench, admitted the last-minute goal had affected the players but vowed they would fight back.
Speaking to Premier League Productions, Doyle said: “The dressing room is a difficult place to be at this moment in time.
“We have to be honest with each other and figure out why we aren't getting three points. Honest conversations need to happen.
"I want the fans to know that we will give 100 per cent every single day to try and put this right for them."
Their next match is a crucial trip away to Ruud Van Nistelrooy's Leicester City.
Arteta left frustrated after Pickford thwarts Arsenal
Mikel Arteta was adamant Arsenal should have taken three points after they were held to a 0-0 draw by Everton at the Emirates Stadium.
Arteta's side have drawn consecutive Premier League games for the first time since April 2023 and have now won only eight of their 16 league matches this season.
The Gunners dominated in terms of chances, accumulating an expected goals figure of 1.42 from 13 shots, but were frustrated by goalkeeper Jordan Pickford and the Toffees' stubborn backline.
Arteta said: "It's very disappointing not to win the game. We fully deserved to win the game.
"We conceded no shots and we dominated play. When we generated big chances we didn’t score a goal.
"It doesn't matter [that Everton had 10 days to prepare]. Look at the intensity we generated in the second half.
"We dominated the game so much."
Pickford made five saves, with a superb, instinctive stop from Bukayo Saka's volley early in the second half a standout.
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