The final home game of the season is upon us. Without Sunday, Wednesday would have been even harder to bear. Victory at Anfield clawed a second target back into our sights, and that is now the primary focus for the remaining two matches of this season. Having secured a top-four finish with that 2-0 triumph over Liverpool, a win against Norwich City, who have lost their last eight away games, will ensure a top-three finish and mean no Champions League play-off matches in late August.

However there have been few home comforts for Chelsea in recent weeks. There have been two successive home defeats and a run of nine consecutive clean sheets has made way for damaging 2-1 and 3-1 losses.

A third in a row, which would finally extinguish all title hopes and show Arsenal a chink of light, must be avoided. Should the Canaries succumb as they have in other contests of late, Chelsea would be advised to act ruthlessly in improving the lowest goal difference among the title rivals.

Visitors Norwich were unable to push on from their vital win against relegation rivals Sunderland, losing to Swansea, West Brom and Fulham and scoring goals only in the 2-3 loss at home to Liverpool. They have lost eight in succession on the road; only our west London neighbours failed to score two or more against them as hosts.

The late change of manager ahead of the Craven Cottage showdown a month ago, from Chris Hughton to former youth coach Neil Adams, has had no impact on results. So disgruntled have fans of the Norfolk club become there is a social media protest campaign to have unused third-choice goalie Carlo Nash named Player of the Year.

Negative momentum, which can create a vortex at this decisive time of the campaign, is currently affecting them and Aston Villa most, and the Canaries' goal difference provides no succour when compared to that of Sunderland, the closest side they might claw back.

Chelsea have the best record in the league against top-half clubs but rank sixth against sides from the bottom 10, dropping points in six of the 18 matches to date. Stamford Bridge is hoping for a morale-boosting result after two successive disappointments.

One magnificent save by a goalkeeper turned the semi-final second leg on Wednesday; unfortunately he was playing for our opponents and stopping John Terry's header. The next minute Atletico converted a penalty to take full advantage.

A silver lining was that Thibaut Courtois showed to all Blues fans what a shrewd investment he was in 2011 and will be in the future at the Bridge.

With his goal in the 1-3 defeat on Wednesday night, Fernando Torres moved ahead of Peter Osgood to become our third all-time highest scorer in Europe: The list is Didier Drogba 34, Frank Lampard 25, Fernando Torres 17, Peter Osgood 16.

Eden Hazard bowed out of the Champions League bravely. He has been the most fouled player in the tournament this season, suffering 34 illegal challenges; 26 per cent of those were committed by Atletico on Wednesday. Referees, please note: the Belgian is also the most fouled player in the Premier League.

Even after last weekend's brilliant victory at Anfield, Chelsea need Manchester City and Liverpool each to drop at least two points if we are to win the league for a fifth time. There is also the issue that City's goal difference, 58, and the Reds', 50, is better than ours, currently 43.

Both have what on paper look trickier fixtures than those facing Jose Mourinho's men.

Manchester City have lost nine of their last 13 meetings with Everton, but the Toffees are in a sticky moment with half their defence expected to miss this match. Aston Villa (who host FA Cup finalists Hull this weekend) have lulled themselves into the relegation mix and may still need points at the Etihad to keep the trap-door from creaking open.

The Citizens' final game is also at home, to a West Ham side entering this weekend in a four-loss tailspin.

Liverpool's biggest hurdle also comes away from home. Andy Johnson was the hero of a 1-0 Crystal Palace win the last time Liverpool visited Selhurst Park in 2005. It will be interesting to see the mental state of the visitors come Monday evening after Chelsea's and City's weekend results.

In the Merseysiders' favour is the notion that having brilliantly secured their top-flight status Tony Pulis's Palace side have put their feet up. Certainly there was little of the vim and vigour evident when they were still striving for survival visible against City last weekend.

As well as the psychological fallout from last week's defeat, statistical history will gnaw away at Liverpool, as no team has ever claimed the Premier League crown while conceding as many goals as their 46.

The final reckoning for Brendan Rodgers' side comes at home to Newcastle, who have lost their last six matches and seem to be contemplating their holidays.

This weekend the Geordies can seal the fate of Cardiff City, Chelsea's final opponents this season on 11 May.

Congratulations to our young professionals who progressed to the U21 Premier League play-off final by beating Man City on penalties at the Etihad on Thursday.

Also don't forget Chelsea's excellent U18s will be looking to overturn a 2-3 first-leg deficit to Fulham and lift the FA Youth Cup on Bank Holiday Monday.


- Match preview by chelseafc.com