Chelsea star Cole Palmer says the Blues are not Premier League title contenders despite sitting in third place heading into the new year.
The Blues missed the chance to cement top spot on the table after losing 2-1 to London rivals Fulham at Stamford Bridge on Boxing Day.
Read: Chelsea suffer late defeat in London Derby
Liverpool defeated Leicester City on the same day to move seven points clear of the Blues, but Palmer insists they are not competing for the title.
"To lose at the end is difficult. In the first half we played well, controlled the game and had quite a few chances. Second half we lost a bit of control.
"They are a good transition team and direct. We got caught up in their game and paid the price. We turned it into a game they are better than us at. It is fine, we have another game in a few days. Keep going. We knew we were not going to win every game we play.
"Everyone said from the start we are not title contenders. The manager said it was an opportunity to learn, we will look back on it and rest and recover.
"It is football and it happens. We lost control for 20 minutes and the scored two, so well done Fulham."