Chelsea are still title favourites - Cech

Chelsea have endured dismal early-season form but
Petr Cech says his old club remain favourites for the
Premier League title.

Petr Cech claims Chelsea remain favourites for the Premier
League title despite their poor start to the season.

A 3-1 home defeat to Southampton - their fourth loss in just
eight matches - on October 3 has left the champions 10 points
adrift of league leaders Manchester City and prompted a public
statement of support from the Chelsea hierarchy for manager
Jose Mourinho.

But Cech, who left Stamford Bridge to join London rivals Arsenal
in the transfer window, believes Mourinho will turn things
around.

"I'm surprised at their form because Chelsea are among the
best in the Premier League," he told iDNES.

"I'm not there any more, so it is hard for me to evaluate what's
going on. But the season is long and Chelsea are still favourites
in my eyes."

Arsenal are just two points off top spot following an impressive
3-0 win over Manchester United last Sunday and Cech is
confident Arsene Wenger's side can mount a genuine fight for
the title themselves.

"After our first defeat against West Ham, everyone said that we
can never win anything big. Now we're being compared to the
famous Arsenal who didn't lose once during a season [in
2003-04]," said the Czech Republic international.

"I know that we have a team that can fight for the title until the
final round."