Ramires & Willian save Mourinho's bacon but Chelsea still have big problems

A 38-game season is too long for any team to produce dominant displays and emphatic victories week after week, so the ultimate test of a title contender's mettle is said to be how they react to the difficult moments and whether or not they can still pick up points when not playing well.

When examined in that light, Chelsea's come-from-behind 2-2 draw at Newcastle United on Saturday could be seen as a decent result.

Jose Mourinho's side rallied late on to salvage a point against a much-improved Magpies outfit – who had taken a thoroughly deserved lead through Ayoze Perez and Georginio Wijnaldum – ensuring they did not leave St James' Park empty-handed despite an appalling first-half performance.