Frank Lampard believes Chelsea have been forced to play second fiddle in the Premiership title race.
Chelsea closed the gap on leaders Manchester United to three points once more with victory on Lampard's only stamping ground West Ham on Wednesday.
The Blues' relentless charge - they have won 17 of their last 20 matches, drawing the other three - has been impressive but they have not been able to overhaul United at the top.
Lampard is still hopeful of overtaking United but believes The Red Devils have benefited from playing their matches ahead of The Blues, leaving the team from West London to play a game of catch up.
"It has been like that for a while. The only time we played ahead of them was when they lost to Portsmouth," said Lampard.
"We have virtually always been the second team playing and it has been difficult. There is an added pressure when they have won but we have learned to live with that problem.
"We have to keep winning and at this stage of the season it is so close that whether they win, lose or draw, we still have to do our thing and not take too much notice of their results.
"We are trying not to look too much at the points because we know it is tight. We know we have got to play United but we have got to keep winning. The moment we drop points it will become very tough for us."
when man utd second at the table dey nvr kpkb.
now chelsea second at the table dey kpkb so much.