Chelsea goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois has dismissed suggestions that the club have already managed to seal the league title after opening an eight point advantage over Manchester City. The 2-1 win over Liverpool coupled with City dropping points against QPR meant that Chelsea already have a sizeable advantage in the Premier League despite this season just being 11 matches old. Courtois may be struggling to get clean sheets on a regular basis unlike his compatriot Petr Cech, but he has not been at fault for most of the goals conceded by Chelsea this campaign.

In fact, the blues have one of the best defensive records in the division after having allowed only 11 goals. Second placed Southampton have a far better defensive record with only five goals conceded in 11 matches. Courtois says that every match in the Premier League is extremely difficult and Chelsea will not become complacent over the next few weeks. Traditionally, Chelsea have struggled during the months of November and December and this has often cost them the title. The blues will be playing in a number of matches over the course of the next two months due to their involvement in the Capital One Cup and Champions League.

“We don’t have the title in the bag. We are working game by game. The Premier League is very difficult. We are trying to win with every game that is possible but there will be a still a long way to win the title. We are working hard. Hopefully that will be enough,” said Courtois. Chelsea’s large advantage is primarily due to the fact that none of the clubs like Arsenal, Liverpool, and Manchester United have been able to keep pace with them. Only City were close enough and once they have dropped out of the running, the lead looks substantial.