Crystal Palace manager Patrick Vieira has urged his side to focus on their own game instead of reading too much into Chelsea’s problems ahead of Sunday’s game at Stamford Bridge.
The Blues were beaten 2-1 by Fulham on Thursday in another all-London clash and now lead Palace by just three points in the Premier League table, having played one game more than the Eagles.
Chelsea are 10th, an unusual position in recent seasons, with just one win from their past eight games in all competitions putting pressure on manager Graham Potter.
Palace have problems of their own after back-to-back defeats, the most recent defeat in the FA Cup at the hands of arch-rivals Southampton.
“The mood has been challenging, of course, because of the results we have had, but I have seen a group that has worked well this week and waiting for the game to do its best,” Vieira said on Friday. .
“We look at the squad they have (Chelsea) and we look at the quality of players they have, we look at the quality of manager they have.”
The former Arsenal and France star added: “Now, yes, they (Chelsea) may be in a difficult time, because of their problems, but that doesn’t take away the quality they have.
“Again, we have to do well, and not think about the game we’re playing now.
“We want to focus on ourselves. We want to improve on the last game we played. We want to be more competitive, and more consistent in our performances, to win games.