Champions-elect celebrating already, admits Cahill

Win against West Bromwich Albion on Friday will see Blues claim second title in three years

WEST BROMWICH/SOUTHAMPTON: Defender Gary Cahill admits there was a party atmosphere at Chelsea this week with the Premier League leaders just 90 minutes away from clinching a second title in three years.

A "buzzing" Chelsea head to The Hawthorns to face West Bromwich Albion on Friday knowing victory will deliver the championship in coach Antonio Conte's first season in charge.

The fiercely demanding Italian has revived the fortunes of a side who finished 10th last season and is expected to be rewarded with an improved contract and assurances about the club's spending plans during the coming transfer window.

But the immediate priority is to deliver the Premier League trophy and Tottenham Hotspur's defeat at West Ham United last week together with Chelsea's defeat of Middlesbrough on Monday significantly eased the pressure during the run-in.

Should Conte's side beat a West Brom team with little to play for, they will become champions with two games to go.

"It's one more to go, we have two home games and one away so we're in a very good position now," England centre-back Cahill told the club’s website. "If anything, we should be enjoying it. After the Tottenham result, naturally spirits were high in training and everybody was buzzing. Everyone went out and enjoyed themselves and there was a little bit of pressure off, although that can sometimes be bad when you relax and don't do the right things."

However, Cahill, 31, insisted that there was no complacency within the side. "It's going to be a tough game at West Brom, it always is,” he said. "It's never comfortable and we need to be aware of that, but we're looking forward to getting the job done."

Jose Mourinho was in charge two years ago and Cahill, whose form has improved markedly under Conte, says the experience of becoming champions then has helped.

"It was probably more comfortable last time but the run-in is always the same, there is always a stage in the season when it's going to be tight, when teams are putting pressure on and you're having to win,” he said. "That's helped us this time, having the experience of that. We're in a great position now and if we were to throw it away we'd be devastated."

West Brom will take on the champions-elect with their spirits boosted by a 2-2 draw at Burnley which ended their four-match losing run and saw Salomon Rondon end his 19-game goal drought.

Attentions at The Hawthorns are already turning to next season, with coach Tony Pulis close to agreeing a deal to sign out-of-contract defender Charlie Taylor from Leeds United.

They have three games remaining including a trip to Manchester City on Tuesday as they chase the five points they need to reach their target of 50 and comfortable mid-table safety.

"We've got some tough games coming up," said defender Craig Dawson. "But they're the games everybody wants to play in, they're exciting games."

Wenger applauds master of invention Sanchez

Arsene Wenger hailed Alexis Sanchez's unique qualities after the Chilean opened the scoring in Arsenal's 2-0 victory at Southampton and then created a second goal for substitute Olivier Giroud.

Wednesday's victory took Arsenal to within three points of the Premier League top four and keeps alive the possibility of a 20th successive season of Champions League football for the North London club.

Sanchez broke the deadlock in the 60th minute at St Mary's, gathering Mesut Ozil's pass and leaving two defenders sprawling before firing home his 20th goal of the league campaign.

"The goal he scored tonight shows what he's about: very good technique in a short space," said Wenger. "He scores important goals. He has invention in his head. He's creative, not phased by anything, and he surprised everyone in the stadium tonight with his goal. Everyone was expecting him to take a shot, but he's very quick on the move."

It was Sanchez's cross that Aaron Ramsey headed back across goal for Giroud to nod in the visitors' second goal in the 83rd minute.

"Giroud came on and the second goal was very important for us, too," added Wenger. "We had to [dig deep] because Southampton started at a strong pace. The first half was quite even, but we were focused and determined. I felt if you look at individual performances you couldn't be disappointed from the goalkeeper to Danny Welbeck. Everybody played well."

Now Arsenal must keep the pressure on the top four by showing the same focus and winning their three remaining matches, starting at Stoke City on Saturday.

Wenger knows that even nine points might not be enough to guarantee a top-four finish, but he says his team have no option but to win the games in front of them.

"I don't know more than you," said the Frenchman, who is still to announce whether he will remain at Arsenal beyond the end of the season. "But I believe that, for us, it's important to maintain the focus and intensity in every single game.”