Spurs remain four points adrift of Chelsea with four games to play, but Everton away represented Chelsea’s toughest challenge on paper – and one they passed with flying colours.
Goals from Pedro, Gary Cahill and Willian inflicted a first Goodison Park defeat on the hosts since early January and saw Chelsea cut to 1/16 for the title by Sky Bet.
Spurs travel to West Ham on Friday before facing Manchester United in their farewell game at the Lane, but while their current form suggests they could well end the season with five six wins in a row, it may not be enough.
Chelsea face Middlesbrough, West Brom, Watford and Sunderland knowing that three wins from four would take the matter out of the hands of Spurs, who are 9/1 to overhaul the leaders.
While both Manchester City and Manchester United both dropped points in draws against Boro and Swansea respectively, Arsenal’s limp defeat saw them fall six points off the top four and out to 9/1 to secure Champions League qualification.
Manager Arsene Wenger will come under increased scrutiny following this latest big-game defeat, but Sky Bet make him 2/5 to remain in charge come the end of August and 5/2 to hold no managerial position, with PSG heading the list of potential clubs at 9/1.
City’s favourable run-in includes three home games and a trip to Watford and explains why they’re 1/14 for a top-four finish, with United 4/1 and Liverpool considered much more likely to join Chelsea, Spurs and City at 1/5.
At the bottom of the table, Boro’s draw with City keeps their survival hopes alive but they remain firm favourites to be relegated along with Sunderland, to the extent that they’re not quoted in Sky Bet’s market.
Swansea are 1/2 for the drop following their deserved draw at Old Trafford, with Hull 7/4 having drawn with Southampton on Saturday. It’s 25/1 bar.
Posted at 1845 BST on 30/04/17.
