Chelsea manager Maurizio Sarri has conceded that the Blues are out of the Premier League title race after succumbing to a disappointing 1-0 defeat at the hands of Leicester City.

The Blues had come into the weekend's game on the back of three successive wins in all competitions and this included the League Cup quarter-final triumph over Bournemouth as well as the surprise win over Manchester City.

However, they could not keep the momentum going against the Foxes, who picked up a surprise 1-0 win at the Bridge and speaking after the game, Sarri has acknowledged that the title hunt is impossible and the club should focus on finishing in the top four.

“It was impossible from the beginning of the season,” he told BBC Sport. "As I said at the beginning of the Premier League it is impossible to catch Liverpool and Manchester City, we have to be careful to stay close to the first four positions.”

Chelsea's defeat to the Foxes sees them equal on points with arch-rivals Arsenal but they are currently occupying the fourth position in the standings with a better goal difference. The Blues are scheduled to face Watford on the road in their next game on Boxing Day.