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."

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Sports Xtra
Stoke v Aston Villa - 2nd Half
| Time | Fixture |
|---|---|
| Sunday 14th March | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 13:30 | Man Utd vs Fulham |
| 16:00 | Sunderland vs Man City |
| Monday 15th March | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 20:00 | Liverpool vs Portsmouth |
| Tuesday 16th March | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 19:45 | Wigan vs Aston Villa |
| Saturday 20th March | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 12:45 | Aston Villa vs Wolverhampton |
| 15:00 | Everton vs Bolton |
| 15:00 | Portsmouth vs Hull |
| 15:00 | Stoke vs Tottenham |
| 15:00 | Sunderland vs Birmingham |
| 15:00 | Wigan vs Burnley |
| 17:30 | Arsenal vs West Ham |
| Sunday 21st March | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 13:30 | Man Utd vs Liverpool |
| 15:00 | Fulham vs Man City |
| 16:00 | Blackburn vs Chelsea |
| Tuesday 23rd March | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 20:00 | West Ham vs Wolverhampton |
| Wednesday 24th March | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 19:45 | Aston Villa vs Sunderland |
| 19:45 | Man City vs Everton |
| 19:45 | Portsmouth vs Chelsea |
| 20:00 | Blackburn vs Birmingham |
| Saturday 27th March | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 15:00 | Birmingham vs Arsenal |
| Time | Result |
|---|---|
| Saturday 13th March | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Tottenham 3 - 1 Blackburn | |
| Bolton 4 - 0 Wigan | |
| Chelsea 4 - 1 West Ham | |
| Burnley 1 - 2 Wolverhampton | |
| Hull 1 - 2 Arsenal | |
| Stoke 0 - 0 Aston Villa | |
| Birmingham 2 - 2 Everton | |
| Wednesday 10th March | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Burnley 1 - 1 Stoke | |
| Tuesday 9th March | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Sunderland 4 - 0 Bolton | |
| Portsmouth 1 - 2 Birmingham | |
| Monday 8th March | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Wigan 1 - 0 Liverpool | |
| Sunday 7th March | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Everton 5 - 1 Hull | |
| Saturday 6th March | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Arsenal 3 - 1 Burnley | |
| West Ham 1 - 2 Bolton | |
| Wolverhampton 0 - 1 Man Utd | |
| Sunday 28th February | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Tottenham 2 - 1 Everton | |
| Liverpool 2 - 1 Blackburn | |
| Sunderland 0 - 0 Fulham | |
| Saturday 27th February | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Chelsea 2 - 4 Man City | |
| Birmingham 1 - 0 Wigan | |
Skysports.com looks at the best and worst moments from the latest round of top-flight fixtures.
Ian McGarry says Chelsea must not let the 'Jose Mourinho factor' distract them against Inter Milan.
Andy Dunn told Sunday Supplement that this should be Rafael Benitez's last season as Liverpool manager.
England star David Beckham has torn his Achilles tendon playing for AC Milan, according to the Italian club's boss Leonardo.
Wayne Rooney scored a brace as Manchester United moved back to the top of the Premier League table with a 3-0 win over Fulham.
Prospective Portsmouth owner Rob Lloyd insists there is a 'substantial investor' involved in his consortium.
Adam Johnson secured a dramatic 1-1 draw for Man City with a superb late equaliser against Sunderland.
Chelsea have denied reports that defender Ashley Cole will not feature again this season.