Chelsea can't afford any more slip-ups in the title race, warns Joe Cole

09 December 2009 11:24
Joe Cole has warned his Chelsea team-mates that they can't afford any slip-ups in their next five matches.[LNB]The Blues' lead at the top of the Barclays Premier League has been cut to just two points by Manchester United and Tuesday night's 2-2 Champions League draw with Apoel Nicosia marked three matches without a win in all competitions.[LNB]England midfielder Cole insists the mini-slump must stop when Everton visit Stamford Bridge on Saturday.[LNB] Determined: Joe Cole tries to inspire Chelsea against Apoel Nicosia[LNB]'There are no excuses,' the 28-year-old told the London Evening Standard. 'We're sitting on top of the League now and need to be sitting there on the first of January. We should have beaten Apoel, we had the better of the chances. [LNB]'It has been a bit of a bumpy week and we need to bounce back at the weekend and get back to winning ways. Hopefully, we can do that against Everton.[LNB]'The next five Premier League games are very important. The Christmas period is always vital.'[LNB] Early warning: Marcin Zewlakow scores for Apoel against Chelsea[LNB]Chelsea were sitting pretty just 10 days ago after steam-rolling Arsenal 3-0 in the Premier League. [LNB]However, Carlo Ancelotti's men were then knocked out of the Carling Cup on penalties after a 3-3 draw with Blackburn, followed by a 2-1 League defeat at Manchester City and the Champions League stalemate.[LNB]The Everton clash is followed by games against Portsmouth, West Ham, Birmingham and Fulham this month before four of their players are expected to be on Africa Cup of Nations duty in January.[LNB] The future's bright: Apoel players acknowledge their fans after drawing at Stamford Bridge[LNB] Santos political row threatens Chelsea's bid to land teenage sensation NeymarCarlo on the warpath: Ancelotti rages as Chelsea slump to dismal drawUnder-fire Chelsea keeper Cech takes blame for defeat at Manchester CityCompetition: Win a pair of tickets for Chelsea v Everton on December 12 - courtesy of BarclaysCHELSEA FC

Source: Daily_Mail