Chelsea players have been given a huge lift by Man City's failure to beat Sunderland in midweek, admits Jose Mourinho's assistant Steve Holland.
The two dropped points for City has opened the door for the Blues, who now have the title back in their own hands. Win the last four and they will finish top.
And Mourinho's deputy says the players have not let the moment pass without comment.
“Before, if City won their two games in hand, they had more points than Chelsea so it wasn't in our hands. That situation has now changed," Holland said.
“I'd be lying if I said that, when that result became clear on Wednesday evening, there weren't text messages exchanged between players, supporters and staff. A positive reaction.
“It was the same for the others when we dropped points at Selhurst Park.”
Talking about the first of those four matches that will decide their fate in the league – against Sunderland tomorrow – Holland said it was just as vital as next Sunday's visit to Liverpool.
“This game is of huge importance,” he said. “I don't subscribe to the view this title will be decided on one match – the one obvious match everyone will be excited about [at Liverpool].
“There are enough difficult games for all four clubs between now and the end of the season to suggest there'll be other curve balls thrown in.
“We had a very difficult match at Selhurst Park a couple of weeks back and Man City and Liverpool have to go there.”
