Manager Jose Mourinho has warned Manchester United that he expects his Chelsea side to be leading the Premiership sooner rather than later.
"I don't think it will take a lot of time to be top of the league," said Mourinho after Chelsea beat Bolton 1-0.
"I am happy to be just three points behind because we have had tougher fixtures than United.
"But now is time to win matches consecutively and go top of the league as soon as possible."
He added: "With the very good run Manchester United are having, they have to be frustrated to have only a three-point lead."
Mourinho believes that win at Bolton and the draw Chelsea earned at Old Trafford on Sunday have left the Premiership champions in excellent shape to retain their title.
"We have got used to being top of the league the last two years"
"There could have been eight points difference between us now if we had not played well in these two games," he said.
"We could have lost in Manchester and dropped points against Bolton if we were not focused.
"Of course we would like to be top of the league. We have got used to it the last two years."
Meanwhile, Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson is quietly confident about his side's chances of holding off Chelsea.
"My players have a lot to work for," he said.
"I think they are on the verge of achieving something great at this club and you don't want to miss these things.
"When we got back into the dressing room, we managed to watch the last few minutes of Chelsea's game at Bolton.
"That kind of thing will always happen. The important thing is we are in a position to worry about them."