Frank Lampard’s decision to settle on his back four makes Chelsea genuine title contenders, according to Martin Keown.

Keown wrote in the Daily Mail: “Lampard was chopping and changing his defence. It felt like everybody was on trial.

“But Lampard has found his most reliable back four in Ben Chilwell, Thiago Silva, Kurt Zouma and Reece James and it’s paying dividends.

“Whereas previously he could not decide on his centre back pairing, Silva and Zouma have become his regular partnership.

“Since the start of October, they have started together seven times. Chelsea are unbeaten in all of those and have kept five clean sheets.

“Previously, the Blues’ habit of ball-watching was getting them into trouble.

“Their naivety was on show in a 3-3 draw with Southampton, which took them to 65 goals conceded in 43 Premier League games under Lampard. Now, they’ve shut that door.”