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Branislav Ivanovic: 'Chelsea will not let Manchester City back into title race'

Branislav Ivanovic says that it is up to Chelsea to ensure that their hefty lead over title challengers Manchester City remains intact between now and the end of the season.

Chelsea defender Branislav Ivanovic has reiterated the importance of his side showing a ruthless streak for the remainder of the season in order to storm their way to the Premier League title.

The Blues remain five points clear of Manchester City at the summit courtesy of last night's hard-fought 1-0 win against West Ham United, with a game in hand still to play over their rivals.

However, champions City have pegged Jose Mourinho's men back once already this campaign, making up an eight-point deficit following a strong run of form, although Ivanovic says that Chelsea have now learned lessons from the past.

"It's for us to keep the big gap and not give them the chance to close it again," The Mirror quotes him as saying. "We are one step closer, but still it's a long way.

"We are growing as a team and we learn from our mistakes. That's how we know how every game and every situation is very important. This team is slowly growing together and giving good performances, even when we have a bad day we get some points and win some games."

Chelsea are back in league action in 10 days' time when they take on European-chasing Southampton, but before then they must tackle Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League.

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Eden Hazard of Chelsea turns away to celebrate after scoring the opening goal during the Barclays Premier League match against West Ham on March 4, 2015
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TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool14112129111835
2Chelsea1594235181731
3Arsenal1585229151429
4Manchester CityMan City158342721627
5Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest157441918125
6Aston Villa157442323025
7Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton156632522324
8Bournemouth157352320324
9Brentford157263128323
10Fulham156542220223
11Tottenham HotspurSpurs1562731191220
12Newcastle UnitedNewcastle155551921-220
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd155461918119
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham155372028-818
15Everton143561421-714
16Leicester CityLeicester153572130-914
17Crystal Palace152761420-613
18Ipswich TownIpswich151681427-139
19Wolverhampton WanderersWolves1523102338-159
20Southampton1512121131-205


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