John Terry: Pressure is on Chelsea's title rivals to keep the pace after Boxing Day win
- Chelsea beat West Ham 2-0 on Boxing Day at Stamford Bridge
- Result sees Blues go three points clear at top of Premier League
- Manchester City closest challengers and Manuel Pellegrini backs side
- Manchester United also in contention in third place
John Terry has warned Chelsea’s heavyweight title rivals they face a ‘tough job’ to knock them off the top of the Premier League table.
The Chelsea skipper scored the first goal, with Diego Costa getting the other, in a 2-0 Boxing Day win over West Ham that keeps them three points clear.
But Manchester United skipper Wayne Rooney, who scored twice in a 3-1 win over Newcastle, insisted his side can hunt down Chelsea despite being 10 points behind.
John Terry believes Chelsea's title rivals face a tough job to knock them from the top of the Premier League
But Manuel Pellegrini has backed his Manchester City side to retain their title
And Manchester City boss Manuel Pellegrini backed his side to retain their title after David Silva inspired a 3-1 win at West Brom.
'I think we're playing well, and playing before teams it's a chance for us to go six points clear,' said Terry on Sky Sports 1.
'And the pressure's on them now to win, and to try to stay close to us.
'We're playing great now, everyone can see that, and if we continue to do that it's going to be tough.
'That's (the title) the target for us, right from day one.
'We've got off to a good start, and if we continue our form it's going to be tough for anyone.
'We are playing great at the minute but that can change over two or three games, everyone's seen that.
'It's important we remain calm and keep doing what we're doing right now which is playing good at the moment.
'I see a hunger among the players that haven't won the league.'
Diego Costa scored his 13th goal in just 15 Premier League games on Boxing Day against West Ham
Spain hitman Costa fired his 13th goal in just 15 Premier League games since his big-money summer move from Atletico Madrid.
Chelsea manager Mourinho believes the Brazil-born striker is continuing to blossom in a new attacking set-up at Stamford Bridge.
'This is (Cesc) Fabregas football, this is (Eden) Hazard football, this is Willian football, this is Oscar football,' said Mourinho.
'Diego is adapting to that because in Atletico he was a different kind of striker, but even Diego is adapting well to that football we are playing when we have possession of the ball.
'One more match to the end of the first run, and that's right (for us) to finish first.
'This is the football of the team that leads, and leads with all the credit they deserve.
'We are playing very, very well, so it's the football that can put the team as a leader and clearly as a title contender.
'But we've only finished the first lap and there's still plenty more to go.'
Terry captained Chelsea at Stamford Bridge and also scored the opener against the Hammers
West Ham boss Sam Allardyce admitted conceding goals from set-pieces 'kills me' after Terry headed the opener from a corner.
'It kills me, because we do our markings every single week,' said Allardyce.
'We are one of the best at defending this season and that's why we are where we are.
'But that is disappointing against a team as good as this, because you've got so much to worry about in general play.
'We switched off.
'Chelsea were the better team, but when you carve out those kinds of chances in the last 20 minutes you want to put one in and just see if they get nervous or not.
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