Chelsea get early Christmas present and take huge title stride without playing

But Enzo Maresca's side didn't need to kick a ball on Saturday to find themselves in a perfect position to close the gap at the top.

Premier League leaders Liverpool almost suffered a shock defeat to Fulham at Anfield.

Andreas Pereira found the net within 11 minutes to put the away side ahead - and that served as omen for the rest of a frustrating afternoon for the Reds.

Andy Robertson was given his marching orders just six minutes later after a reckless and desperate last-ditch challenge on Harry Wilson.

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Cody Gakpo equalised, before Rodrigo Muniz fired the Cottagers ahead once again.

But Reds fans breathed a sigh of relief as Diogo Jota bagged an equaliser with four minutes to go to make it 2-2 on his return from injury.

Arsenal, meanwhile, also had to settle for a point at home to Everton.

The Toffees kept Mikel Arteta's side at bay at the Emirates, with none of the Gunners' five shots on target materialising.

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Sean Dyche's side, meanwhile, didn't manage a single shot and had just 23 per cent of possession.

But Toffees fans in the away end won't care, with a much needed point coming back to Merseyside.

If Chelsea win on Sunday, they will be just two points behind Liverpool.

However, if the Blues' record against the Bees is anything to go off, it won't be a straight forward task.

Chelsea haven't beaten Brentford since 2021, a 2-0 victory in the League Cup.

They've seen out two draws and three defeats in that team.

And talkSPORT's resident Chelsea fan and ex-Blues player Jason Cundy is keeping his feet on the ground after Saturday's results.

Asked whether Chelsea are in the title race, he said: "I tell you what I feel. I feel that there is a chance, but it's so slim, it's not worth really discussing right now. We're not that team.

"If we're still in this conversation by the end of February… But until then, I've said this before, we're not that team."

Cundy doesn't think Chelsea's Robert Sanchez or defenders compare to Liverpool's.

"We don't have a goalkeeper as good as Alisson," he continued.

"We don't have a centre-half as good as [Virgil] van Dijk. We don't have a forward player as good as [Mohamed] Salah to score that many goals.

"Okay, maybe Cole Palmer, maybe. But it's just too early to have that conversation.

"However, Arsenal choked against Everton, and credit to Everton because they played well.

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"I heard Arteta say, 'We deserve to win the game' - no, you didn't!

"Come on, let's have it real. There are games you do deserve to win, and you don't and today you didn't deserve to win, you weren't good enough!"