West Ham United boss David Moyes has insisted that Chelsea are "a match for anyone in the Premier League" and has backed the champions to get back on course following a slow start.
The Blues are still playing catch-up after losing three of their opening eight matches, as well as dropping two points at home to Arsenal in the first couple of months.
Moyes was full of praise for Chelsea ahead of their trip to the London Stadium this weekend, however, as he believes that they are still as good as leaders Manchester City, despite a 12-point gap emerging between the two sides.
"I'm not an expert on Chelsea but I think how they played last year was fantastic," he told reporters. "I think they've got numerous good players; I think maybe just a slow start to the season might have just caught them out a little bit.
"Manchester City have been so strong from day one, but I think Chelsea on their day are a match for anyone in the Premier League. They proved that last year and I think they are probably doing that a bit more now as well."
West Ham have won just two of their last 22 Premier League games against Chelsea, losing 16 of those.
Daniel Lewis
