Andre Villas-Boas feels Chelsea have missed a 'massive' opportunity to capitalise on slip-ups by other sides at the top of the table.
Villas-Boas airs frustration at stuttering December form
Chelsea boss Andre Villas-Boas feels his side have missed a 'massive' opportunity to capitalise on slip-ups by other sides at the top of the table.
The Blues appeared to have battled their way back into the title race when they became the first team to beat Manchester City on 12th December.
Both league leaders City and title rivals Manchester United dropped points over the Christmas period, giving Chelsea a great chance to close the gap at the top still further.
However, the Stamford Bridge outfit struggled themselves, drawing with Wigan and Fulham either side of Christmas before crashing 3-1 at home to Aston Villa on New Year's Eve.
Their faltering festive form meant they began the New Year outside the top four for the first time in a decade.
Under pressure boss Villas-Boas all but ruled out his side's chances of lifting the title in May after their recent slip-ups and thinks the past few weeks represent a chance missed.
"What we regret more is that, from the last four games, we've lost a big opportunity to shorten the distance to the leaders. Massive opportunities lost," said the 34-year-old.
Running
"We would have been running for the title if we'd had a better December.
"It's disappointing on the fact that, in the last three fixtures, all the top teams have dropped points.
"We spoke about how December could have been decisive in the running of the league.
"From what is happening now, Arsenal made the most of a good December. Liverpool, too, in some way. The rest of the teams have struggled.
"All of them dropped points, but we couldn't make the most of it.
"It's difficult for us to be in perspective for league contention this year."
Reaction
The players were booed off the field following their defeat to Villa on Saturday but Villas-Boas refused to criticise the supporters for their reaction.
Instead, the former Porto boss feels his players owe the fans for their backing throughout a busy month.
"We want to repay the fans their trust. They've been magnificent in December," added Villas-Boas.
"The fans have a right to show their disappointment. Their away support has been magnificent. Their home support is improving.
"They know they can make a difference and we need them."
