Villas-Boas talks up title challenge

Chelsea manager Andre Villas-Boas has no doubts over his side’s ability to challenge for the Premier League title after their 5-1 rout of Bolton at the Reebok Stadium.

The Blues, who finished second to Manchester United last season, are currently third following the victory over Owen Coyle’s men, in which a Frank Lampard hat-trick and Daniel Sturridge brace secured all three points for the west London outfit.

Speaking after the win, the former Porto boss told reporters: “This squad is full of competence and the talent has never been in question. We have enough talent to challenge for the Premier League. We have been looking towards this victory for some time.”

“It happened here because we were more prolific in front of goal. On a personal level, I would like to dedicate the victory to my technical staff and to my players.”

The Stamford Bridge outfit travelled to the north west six points behind both Manchester clubs after City hammered Blackburn at Ewood Park and United beat Norwich at Old Trafford on Saturday, and Villas-Boas recognised that it was important to close the gap on his team’s title rivals.

“I’m very happy with such a performance before an international break and after all the positive results for our opponents on Saturday,” he said.

“Next game, two title contenders play each other – Liverpool and Manchester United. Then the two Manchester clubs play each other the week after that.”

“It is important for us to continue to win and close the gap. We have a difficult game against Everton and then another difficult game with QPR.”

“But, hopefully, if we manage to get six points out of those matches, it will put us in an even better position.”

Coyle’s men were blown away by their visitors’ first-half performance and the Blues manager was delighted with his side’s ruthlessness in front of goal.

“This performance is just something that fills us with pride, though it is not as if we have not been trying to do this before,” he said.

“We have. But football is a game full of uncertain things and for various different reasons – luck or lack of efficiency – we were not able to find a result with this expression before.”

“Yet I think in all of the games we have been creating the same amount of opportunities and today we were just more prolific.”