Maresca insists Chelsea 'not ready' despite title talk

Enzo Maresca again played down suggestions Chelsea were in the title race despite cutting Liverpool's lead at the Premier League summit to four points after a rip-roaring comeback win at Tottenham.

Second-placed Blues started poorly in north London and trailed 2-0 after 11 minutes with Spurs able to capitalise on two slips by Marc Cucurella to score through Dominic Solanke and Dejan Kulusevski.

Jadon Sancho reduced the deficit soon after and they were fortunate midfielder Moises Caicedo escaped a red card for a shin-high tackle on Pape Sarr, which proved crucial as Caicedo was carelessly hacked down at the start of the second period by Yves Bissouma to give the visitors a penalty.

Cole Palmer tucked away the spot-kick just past the hour mark before he brilliantly created space to deliver a deflected cross for Enzo Fernandez to lash in the visitors’ third in the 73rd minute.

There was still time for Palmer to win another penalty and convert with a panenka with six minutes left for his 12th goal of the campaign.

Spurs captain Son Heung-min did pull one back in stoppage time, but Chelsea held on to triumph 4-3 and earn a ninth league win in 15 under Maresca to move clear of Arsenal and Manchester City as Liverpool’s nearest challengers.

"After the game, my message to the players was to be focused," Maresca said.

"To be focused in the day-by-day, in our session, in the next game on Thursday then Sunday, because if you start to think in two games, three games or in four games where we are? It’s completely wrong.

"The main focus has to be enjoy the day off, with family or friends, but when they come back go again 100 per cent, train well, go for the game and no more than that.

"We are happy that our fans are happy. They can dream, they