Chelsea captain Gary Cahill can see the ‘light at the end of the tunnel’ and its outline is in the shape of the Premier League trophy.

The Blues have been top dogs since early November and now have five winnable games in which to extend their ten-point lead before Manchester City visit in April.

The whole Chelsea camp remain wedded to the message that this is anything but a foregone conclusion- led by Antonio Conte, who is adamant that ‘six teams’ can still win it.

The end is in sight for Cahill, but he wants his side to treat their 1-1 draw at Burnley as a ‘wake-up call’ for the challenge of wrapping up the title.

“It’s a time to press on and the motivation to try and finish the job should be there for everyone,” he said.

Robbie Brady's free kick was too good for Thibaut Courtois

“There is a light at the end of the tunnel now and it’s just important that we keep doing what we have been doing for 95 per cent of the season.

“I thought we could have played a lot better at Burnley and maybe that’s a little wake-up call where we realise that it’s obviously going to be tough to cross the line.

“We have to keep focussed and keep believing in what we have been doing all season.”

On the occasion of his 150th league start for Chelsea, the England defender faced up to the physical challenge of a Burnley side totally assured in their method of playing at Turf Moor.

Cahill didn’t quite reach that milestone at Bolton but spent five years in a physical Wanderers team whose approach was unashamedly robust.

Chelsea celebrate Pedro's opener

This means he won’t mount one iota of criticism against the Clarets’ route-one tactics.

“They were very direct and I am not criticising them for that because I have been on both sides of the coin in teams that I have played in,” he said.

“Every time the ball was in their half it was getting booted into the box.

“They played to their strengths and that’s why it was so difficult.

“Then add that to the fact there was sleet and snow, it was freezing and we knew it was going to be very tough. It didn't disappoint.

“Every game is difficult in its own way and it is something we have to adapt to.

Robbie Brady's free kick was too good for Thibaut Courtois

“When you play a team like Arsenal or Manchester City you have to concentrate on their movement and on tracking runs, then there is a game like Burnley where it is slightly different.”

Diego Costa has been a huge part of Chelsea’s success this season but has failed to find the back of the net in his last four games.

Costa’s dry spell doesn’t concern Cahill in the slightest, who believes the onus is on the team as a whole to create chances for their top scorer.

“It did not even cross my mind to be honest. It’s a team thing,” he said.

“As I have said, I thought we would have played a lot better than that at Burnley and if we had played better, then Diego gets a few more opportunities, it goes hand in hand.

“It wasn’t the prettiest, it wasn’t a nice sunny afternoon at Stamford Bridge where we can just zip the ball about.

“It was tough, we dug in and got the point. We have in our make-up now not to lose.”