NOW CONTE FACES HIS BIGGEST TEST

THE title race is back on — especially if Chelsea lose to Manchester City on Wednesday. Doubts are bound to creep in after the defeat by Crystal Palace. This is Antonio Conte’s biggest test since switching to a back three.

Tottenham will be the side Conte fears most. Gone are the days of ‘tippy tappy Tottenham’. This is a team packed with aggressive, young players who will have learned from their collapse at the end of the last campaign.

You look at the likes of Toby Alderweireld, Victor Wanyama and Dele Alli and see leaders all over the pitch.

Burnley had the Premier League’s sixth-best home record before Saturday’s game. To go to Turf Moor and win 2-0 is no mean feat without Harry Kane and wing backs Danny Rose and Kyle Walker.

When I was playing, people used to see Tottenham as a stepping stone. Under Mauricio Pochettino, they believe they can win the league. Chelsea must focus on the fact that they can put the title to bed with victory over Pep Guardiola’s side. If they don’t, Tottenham are ready to pounce.