Courtois says Chelsea won't give up on Premier League title

Thibaut Courtois says Chelsea must maintain their winning sequence to be in a position to pounce if Manchester City slip up.

And Courtois reckons the Blues must prove they are the best of the rest if City, who won a 16th successive Premier League game against Tottenham on Saturday, do not relinquish their grip on top spot.

"It's important to try to keep on winning and pushing forwards," Courtois told Chelsea TV.

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"At the moment City is winning. They are far ahead. But you never know in football. You can have a bad month, three or four games you lose, you lose points.

"We have to be there winning our games, to maybe have a little chance. The season is still long.

"Our main goal, if we cannot be champions, is to be second. We have to keep on winning."

The Belgium goalkeeper says the Blues have plenty to play for after Saturday's 1-0 win over Southampton - an eighth win in 10 Premier League games - and ahead of Wednesday's Carabao Cup quarter-final with Bournemouth.

"It's important to win in the League Cup, to go through to the semi-final. The FA Cup will start in January," Courtois added.

"Champions League we have a tough draw against Barcelona. We are a big team as well. We have chances to win and go further as well.

"We still have a pretty busy season."

Chelsea, last season's Premier League champions, will be without Saturday's match winner Marcos Alonso against the Cherries.

The left wing-back, who scored a delightful free-kick against Saints, is suspended after picking up his fifth yellow card of the season.

Davide Zappacosta has deputised for Alonso at times this season and could do so again.