POCH'S SIX MACHINES

In-form Chelsea win again as they close in on top-six finish

- ALAN SMITH 

MAURICIO POCHETTINO has found the winning formula at just the right time.

Chelsea are now in pole position to finish sixth in the Premier League.

That may be a couple of spots lower than what was anticipated last summer, but the wider context points to it being a solid return should they make sure with a fifth consecutive win against Bournemouth on Sunday.

More importantly, Pochettino's team is beginning to play some wonderful attacking football, underlined by both goals here.

Another goal from Blues playmaker Cole Palmer set them on the way and Christopher Nkunku, at the end of a campaign riddled with injury, fired home midway through the second half.

Not even Reece James' petulant, daft kick out at Joao Pedro late on, earning the Chelsea captain a straight red card, could knock them off track.

Danny Welbeck did tap in Pedro's cross in the 97th minute to set up a nervy conclusion but there would be no time for an equaliser.

Speaking at a business conference in Qatar yesterday, chairman Todd Boehly said that stability is needed for Chelsea to develop.