Chelsea can beat you playing so many different ways — I can't see anybody catching them

This time last year, Chelsea were in the bottom
six. Now they are six points clear and I can’t see
anyone catching them – I think they will win the
title.
What I like most about manager Antonio Conte,
apart from rejuvenating Eden Hazard, Diego Costa
and Nemanja Matic’s form, is that Chelsea’s run
of 10 straight wins is down to his willingness to
change.
When Conte arrived at Stamford Bridge, sensibly
he didn’t try to change too much too soon.
It was only when they were 3-0 down against
Arsenal at half-time that he reverted to his tried
and trusted shape of three at the back – and the
results since then, all victories and with only two
goals conceded, speak for themselves.
The players seem so comfortable with the new
formation that they have not even missed club
legend John Terry at the back.
And Conte’s system is flexible enough for Chelsea
to win games in various modes – on the front
foot, on the break, by wearing down stubborn
resistance like West Brom’s 6-3-1 formation, or
simply by taking sides apart.
They will equal Arsenal’s 14 consecutive Premier
League wins if they beat Crystal Palace on
Saturday, Bournemouth, Stoke and then
Tottenham on January 4.
What a night that could be in north London...
TOFFEE BREAK FOR BARKLEY?
Everton's heroic defending in the last two minutes
against Arsenal on Tuesday was like The Alamo.
For drama, the end of that match was up there
with Manchester United winning the Treble against
Bayern Munich in 1999, or Sergio Aguero’s 94th-
minute goal in the season finale to earn the
2011-12 title for Manchester City.
And for passion, the nature of the Toffees'
performance should be the yardstick for the rest
of the season.
The Goodison Park crowd was fantastic – you
could see the fans lifted the players, and vice-
versa.
But I fear seventh place is the best Everton can
hope for this season, and I don’t understand why
Ross Barkley has not been in the side lately –
although he started against Arsenal and did well.
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There are rumours about Barkley going to
Tottenham for £35million in January.
If there is any substance to the gossip, in his
shoes I would move to Spurs at the drop of a hat.
Barkley has lost his England place and it appears
he cannot take his place for granted at Everton,
either.
It may be time for a fresh start.
DUCKING ON DIVING
Fabrication was the word Alan Pardew used to
describe Hull’s Robert Snodgrass winning a
penalty against his Crystal Palace side on
Saturday.
“Snodgrass really needs to have a look at himself
in that situation... when he sees it back on Match
Of The Day he’ll be embarrassed,” said the Palace
manager, who was understandably upset to go
1-0 down in such a controversial fashion.
Fair enough, but Pardew has been less outspoken
about one of his own players, Yohan Cabaye,
going down far too easily against Manchester
United on Wednesday.
Were you entirely satisfied with your own player’s
actions in that incident, Alan?
RIGHT TO REPLAY
As if by magic, after my suggestion last week that
it’s time to use instant TV replays to help referees
make the right decision when awarding penalties,
it happened.
At the Club World Cup in Japan, Hungarian referee
Viktor Kassai awarded Kashima Antlers a spot-
kick against Atletico Nacional after consulting a
laptop screen on the touchline.
Kassai had missed Atletico’s Orlando Berrio
tripping Antlers full-back Daigo Nishi at the far
post, but he was alerted to a “match-changing”
incident by the fourth official and pointed to the
spot after looking at TV replays.
The delay lasted only 30 seconds, and nobody
was detained long enough to miss their bus home.
My idea was restricted to reviewing penalties
given by the referee, and didn’t include incidents
he didn’t spot – but Kassai proved technology
would only interrupt the flow of a game by
seconds.
NO COUNTRY FOR WIDE MEN
Wilfried Zaha was outstanding for Crystal Palace
in the 3-3 draw at Hull, which intensified the
debate about whether he should choose to play for
England or Ivory Coast at international level.
I was keen to judge for myself at Selhurst Park
the other night, but I have to say I wasn’t
impressed – probably because he was playing at
centre-forward instead of in his best position out
on the flanks.