The moment Ramires' goal went into the back of the net, sealing Chelsea's 2-0 victory over Manchester City at Stamford Bridge, the EPL landscape shifted ever so slightly. The Blues weren't just solidifying their spot in the Champions League for next season with a top 4 finish, they were also sending a message to Arsenal and Manchester United that the league title isn't totally beyond their reach. With the win, Chelsea moved to within four points of second-place Arsenal and nine of Manchester United. Chelsea faces United at Old Trafford on May 7 with a game in hand over the league leader. It's still a long shot to catch United, but in a season like this, when anything goes, who knows?
But before Carlo Ancelotti and his players start dreaming of winning the Prem -- the Blues' boss threw down the gauntlet after Chelsea defeated Man City on Sunday by challenging his team to win all its remaining games -- here are three things we learned from Stamford Bridge after Chelsea's win.
1. David Luiz is a superstar in the making
Whether he's called upon to make a full-bodied challenge or race forward to start an attack, the Brazilian center back has the kind of energy and skill on the ball that is giving Chelsea a newfound swagger. On Sunday, he scored the first goal -- a glancing header from a set-piece ball delivered by Didier Drogba -- and he stopped many an attack from the City players. His hair might have you thinking that Sideshow Bob from "The Simpsons" has taken up footie, but it's clear Luiz (and the explosion of wigs he's inspiring Chelsea fans to wear) is already a main attraction at Stamford Bridge.
2. Roberto Mancini is still too conservative
At some point, someone is going to have to tell the Italian manager that trying to eke out draws is a dangerous gambit. He's done it all year long, too often content to play for the point, but with the firepower at his disposal against a main rival, Mancini could have opened up this game. There was plenty to like about the City performance, particularly in the first half with defenders Micah Richards, Joleon Lescott and Vincent Kompany. But it wasn't until Chelsea went ahead that Mancini decided to bring on explosive winger Adam Johnson and the just plain mentally explosive but dangerous Mario Balotelli. Too little, too late. If City ends up finishing the season in the top 4 to qualify for next season's Champions League, Mancini won't be too fussed about these types of results. But next season, City fans should expect more from their team.
3. Surreal sighting
With Torres starting, two giants of the Prem were on the bench: Drogba and Nicolas Anelka. It was borderline bizarre: Both players were available, fit and ready, yet they were riding the bench. When they started warming up on the touchline in the second half, Mancini looked over. You can imagine the sense of dread that crept into his mind. No other team has that kind of firepower up top … on its bench. And it wasn't as if Torres had a stinker of a game. He's still searching for his first goal for his new team, but he acquitted himself well, finding space and posing a threat in attack. But he wasn't quite able to break through, so Ancelotti freshened things up by taking El Nino off and bringing on his two big guns. Chelsea's fortunes during the season's run-in will depend on how well Ancelotti manages these three players. He's got to try and keep all of them motivated and sharp when they're playing and, more importantly, when they aren't. On Sunday, the manager got it all right.