With a comfortable seven point lead and a game in hand, Chelsea look certain to win their fifth Premier League title at the end of the season. The Blues are also on course to setting a new record for time spent at the top of the Premier League table.
Since August 30, Chelsea have been in pole position and should they hold on to that position till May 13, the Blues will break the record with two rounds of Premier League games left to be played.
Chelsea have been top of the table for 230 days, and will have held the position for 274 days when the season finishes on May 24. In 2005-06, when Chelsea won their first league title under Jose Mourinho, they remained top for 257 days. Manchester United, the current record holder, set the record by topping the table for 262 days in the 1993-94 season.
Few interesting observations:
- None of the chasing trio – Arsenal, Manchester United and Manchester City – were in pole position at any point during the season. Only Tottenham briefly secured the top spot and that was only on goal difference.
- It’s a clear indicator of how the title race has unfolded this season – Chelsea have been brilliant throughout and have gone almost unchallenged from start to finish. Arsenal only picked up their form in the later half of the season and never really threatened Chelsea for the title. Manchester City were the closest rivals but like in 2013, their previous attempt at defending their title, they crumbled under pressure and are now in fourth place (albeit only two points behind Arsenal in second).
- Despite being top of the table for so long, Jose Mourinho won’t be able to beat his personal record for most Premier League points in a season. In 2004-05, Chelsea collected 95 points but here the maximum points on offer are 94, should they win all their remaining matches.
- Chelsea’s away form hasn’t been flawless. The Blues boast a terrific home record (zero defeats) but have lost twice and drawn four times away from Stamford Bridge. In contrast, they registered 15 wins away from home in the 2004-05 season and were beaten only once.
- Arsenal’s “Invincibles” went the entire season unbeaten in 2003-04, but they were top for only 216 days, which ranks as the sixth best total.
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