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Chelsea too good to slip up in title race, says Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink

George Boyd holds off Marcos Alonso
Image: Burnley's George Boyd holds off Marcos Alonso of Chelsea in the 1-1 draw at Turf Moor

Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink believes Chelsea's rivals for the title should not take too much encouragement from the league leaders' draw at Burnley.

Antonio Conte's side took the lead at Turf Moor on Sunday with an early goal from Pedro, but Robbie Brady earned a share of the points for the Clarets with a spectacular free-kick.

Burnley have only lost three Premier League games at home this season, to Swansea, Arsenal and Manchester City, and still have to entertain title contenders Tottenham and top-four hopefuls Manchester United.

Hasselbaink, who played for Chelsea between 2000 and 2004, is confident Conte's team will not be knocked out of their stride.

Antonio Conte shouts from his touchline
Image: Chelsea boss Antonio Conte giving instructions from his touchline

"It's a good point for me, at Burnley. It's a difficult place to go. You have to give Burnley credit because not a lot of teams go there and win, only Man City and Arsenal, who were quite lucky," Hasselbaink said on Premier League Daily.

"So for Chelsea to go there, winning 1-0 and then they score a stunner, I think it's a good result. Man United still have to go there, Tottenham still have to go there, so it's not going to be easy.

Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink of Chelsea is congratulated by Frank Lampard after scoring during the match between Chelsea and Everton.
Image: Hasselbaink played for Chelsea between 2000 and 2004

"Chelsea have found a way of how to play, and they are very calm and relaxed within that, very confident. I don't see them losing three games out of the 13 games they have left.

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"Also, they don't have any European games, they only have the FA Cup and the Premier League, so they can concentrate in midweek, from Saturday to Saturday and really prepare. I think they will be too far ahead for the others."

The form of Chelsea striker Diego Costa has come under examination after a January move to China failed to materialise.

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - JANUARY 31:  Diego Costa of Chelsea reacts during the Premier League match between Liverpool and Chelsea at Anfield on January 31, 201
Image: Diego Costa of Chelsea reacts during the Premier League match at Liverpool

The Spain international has scored just one goal in six games this year, and missed a penalty in the 1-1 draw with Liverpool at Anfield, but Hasselbaink does not believe there is any cause for concern.

"Always as a striker you get those little spells where you don't score, you have to look at the attributes, at the amount of work he does and how much he creates," Hasselbaink said.

"He's missed a penalty but that can happen. But for me, pound for pound he's the best striker at the moment in the Premier League."

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