Chelsea hero Pat Nevin is convinced Antonio Conte's team can yet reign in runaway leaders Manchester City.

Nevin is confident the Premier League pacesetters are starting to slow down.

"It is a long shot of course, but I would say one thing, if City and Chelsea were on the same points tally right at this moment, I think I would put us as slight favourites going forward," he wrote in his column for the club's official website.

"Yes I know it sounds odd because of City's current run, but the cracks are just beginning to show with Pep's men. With David Silva missing recently, a large part of the creativity is expected to come from the fabulous Kevin De Bruyne, but there have been a few tired looking (but still very good) performances by him of late and of course he is now nursing an injury.

"They found Newcastle very difficult to break down and Palace impossible to score against, so if someone could go on an extraordinary unbeaten run, then the pressure might just start to tell, particularly as Champions League stresses will add to the mix.

"It is a long shot but it would be fabulous if Chelsea could carry on this fantastic run of form and exert at least some pressure.

"Currently it is 32 points out of the last 39 for our lads and most seasons that would be league-winning form.

"We know from last season that Chelsea can continue these long runs of unbeaten and even winning streaks and if we do, then I would like to see how City react."