Alex: Seeking success
Chelsea defender Alex believes his side have hauled themselves back into the Premier League title race following the confusion of Jose Mourinho's departure.
The Blues were thrown into turmoil in September when former manager Mourinho left Stamford Bridge and director of football Avram Grant was named as his successor.
However, Chelsea have lost only one match, against Manchester United, since Grant took over and the Israeli has just agreed a new four-year deal.
Chelsea travel to Emirates Stadium to take on Arsenal at the weekend as part of Grand Slam Sunday, which can be seen live on Sky Sports 1, and ahead of the game Alex is in a confident mood.
"We went through a very difficult period," he told the club's official website.
"There was great confusion for everybody. We were all very used to Mourinho and he was a great man who helped me a great deal.
"There was a lot of confusion and it did make a difference. We dropped points, particularly at home when he had some draws.
"But, gradually, we are creeping up and keeping in touch with the leaders, which is the most important thing."

Latest Sky Sports News Report
Chelsea v Arsenal
Birmingham v Wolves
Fulham 3-0 Burnley - Hodgson
Fulham 3-0 Burnley - Laws
Man City 2-0 Bolton - Johnson and Vieira
Portsmouth 1-1 Sunderland - Bruce
Wigan 1-1 Stoke - Martinez
| Time | Fixture |
|---|---|
| Tuesday 9th February | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 19:45 | Man City vs Bolton |
| 19:45 | Portsmouth vs Sunderland |
| 19:45 | Wigan vs Stoke |
| 20:00 | Fulham vs Burnley |
| Wednesday 10th February | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 19:45 | Arsenal vs Liverpool |
| 19:45 | Aston Villa vs Man Utd |
| 19:45 | West Ham vs Birmingham |
| 19:45 | Wolverhampton vs Tottenham |
| 20:00 | Blackburn vs Hull |
| 20:00 | Everton vs Chelsea |
| Tuesday 16th February | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 19:45 | Stoke vs Man City |
| Wednesday 17th February | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 20:00 | Wigan vs Bolton |
| Saturday 20th February | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 12:45 | Everton vs Man Utd |
| 15:00 | Arsenal vs Sunderland |
| 15:00 | West Ham vs Hull |
| 15:00 | Wolverhampton vs Chelsea |
| 17:30 | Portsmouth vs Stoke |
| Sunday 21st February | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 14:00 | Aston Villa vs Burnley |
| 15:00 | Fulham vs Birmingham |
| 15:00 | Man City vs Liverpool |
| Time | Result |
|---|---|
| Sunday 7th February | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Birmingham 2 - 1 Wolverhampton | |
| Chelsea 2 - 0 Arsenal | |
| Saturday 6th February | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Liverpool 1 - 0 Everton | |
| Hull 2 - 1 Man City | |
| Stoke 3 - 0 Blackburn | |
| Bolton 0 - 0 Fulham | |
| Sunderland 1 - 1 Wigan | |
| Man Utd 5 - 0 Portsmouth | |
| Burnley 2 - 1 West Ham | |
| Tottenham 0 - 0 Aston Villa | |
| Wednesday 3rd February | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Fulham 1 - 0 Portsmouth | |
| Tuesday 2nd February | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Hull 1 - 1 Chelsea | |
| Monday 1st February | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Sunderland 0 - 0 Stoke | |
| Sunday 31st January | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Man City 2 - 0 Portsmouth | |
| Arsenal 1 - 3 Man Utd | |
| Saturday 30th January | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Birmingham 1 - 1 Tottenham | |
| Liverpool 2 - 0 Bolton | |
| Fulham 0 - 2 Aston Villa | |
| Hull 2 - 2 Wolverhampton | |
| Burnley 1 - 2 Chelsea | |
Portsmouth left it late to grab a point while Manchester City and Fulham were comfortable winners.
Norwich's success this season means more to Chris Martin than most, as Chris Burton found out.
See all the goals and major incidents involving YOUR team, right here on skysports.com.
Manchester City overcame Bolton, Portsmouth salvaged a late draw against Sunderland, Fulham saw off Burnley and Stoke held Wigan.
Aruna Dindane salvaged a priceless point for troubled Portsmouth as they drew 1-1 with Sunderland.
Avram Grant said his dismissal against Sunderland was a product of him 'having enough' of the club's difficulties.
Steve Bruce hit out at Lee Cattermole and David Meyler after the two players saw red at Fratton Park.
Carlos Tevez and Emmanuel Adebayor grabbed a goal apiece as Man City overcame Bolton at Eastlands.