Image source, Reuters

The celebrations said it all. Gary Cahill's winner was more than just a strike to transform one point into three. It was a psychological thunderbolt, both into the minds of the Chelsea players and fans and the hearts of their title rivals.

The door was slightly ajar for Spurs and City. And then it was slammed shut. Perhaps for good.

Home defeats at White Hart Lane and the Etihad today and it will be, as the late, great Bill Paxton's Hudson said in Aliens: "Game over man, game over."

Image source, Getty Images

With 86 minutes gone at the Britannia Stadium yesterday the title race still had some life in it.

A minute and a Chelsea goal later and the trophy engraver was sharpening their tools.

If Tottenham and Manchester City don't win today, they may as well get carving.