London - If Chelsea are going to win the Premier League it looks like they will stumble hesitantly across the finish line rather than stride majestically through the tape like an all-conquering Olympic champion.
Sunday's frustrating 1-1 stalemate with Southampton at Stamford Bridge was their third successive home draw in all competitions and served to highlight all-too-apparent deficiencies in Jose Mourinho's team.
Too many players seemed tired and listless and Chelsea again appeared over-reliant on Eden Hazard's lightning pace and tricky ball skills to drag them out of a hole.