Chelsea are now considered the outsiders for the top-four after their latest defeat at Everton.

Maurizio Sarri’s side were beaten 2-0 at Everton, which leaves them in sixth – three points adrift of Arsenal in third.

The under-pressure Italian, admits that a top-four finish will be ‘hard’ for his side.

“If you are asking me about the top four I would say it depends on whether you are speaking about the first half or the second.

“It will be hard to reach the top-four now but I would not say impossible. If we can play like we did in the first half for eight matches we will give ourselves a chance.”

Bookmakers now make North London rivals Tottenham and Arsenal the odds-on favourites to make up the top-four along with Manchester City and Liverpool. 

Betway’s Alan Alger said: “The loss to Everton is another poor result for Chelsea that pegs them back in their pursuit of Champions League football. Maurizio Sarri’s men are out to 15/8 from 10/11 for a top four finish, while Spurs, 1/2, Arsenal, 8/13, and Manchester United, 5/4, have all shortened.

“Sarri must be feeling the heat and we’ve slashed his odds in the sack race from 8/11 to 4/7. Anyone who thinks he can scrape his way through to the end of the season, particularly with Europa League hopes intact, can back him at 2/1 to still be in the Chelsea dugout on the final day.”