Alan Shearer confidently predicts where Chelsea will finish

Alan Shearer is confident that Chelsea will win the Premier League title despite their setback against Crystal Palace.

The Blues suffered a surprise 2-1 loss to Sam Allardyce’s struggling Palace side at Stamford Bridge on Saturday afternoon to offer their title rivals hope of catching Antonio Conte’s men.

Cesc Fabregas broke the deadlock in the fifth minute to set Chelsea on course for three points before Wilfried Zaha and Christian Benteke scored in the ninth and eleventh minute to give Palace the lead.

Chelsea are seven points clear of Mauricio Pochettinio’s Tottenham side after Spurs eased to a 2-0 win against Burnley at Turf Moor on Saturday afternoon.

Tottenham will be hoping that Manchester City can push the door further ajar on Wednesday night when Pep Guardiola’s men take on Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.

Speaking to BBC Sport about Chelsea’s prospects in the title race, former Newcastle United striker Shearer backed Conte’s men to get over the line despite Saturday’s setback.

“Despite Saturday’s defeat by Crystal Palace, I still think Chelsea will end up as champions. I don’t see any twists in the title race,” Shearer said.

“Every top team has those days where, whatever you try, it doesn’t work and you come up against a brick wall. Palace’s defending was just brilliant and their whole team played to their maximum.

“That result meant City could have cut Chelsea’s lead at the top to nine points if they had beaten Arsenal on Sunday, and reduced it to six with a win at Stamford Bridge.

“City could only draw at the Emirates but, even if they had won, I don’t think it would have made any difference to their title chances.

“Like Tottenham, they would still have been left needing to win all their remaining games just to have any chance of overhauling Chelsea.

“I just don’t see City doing that because defensively they are poor, and they give too many goals away.”