Noni Madueke laughs and gives 42-word response to inevitable Chelsea question after Southampton win

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Chelsea put five past Southampton on Wednesday night and closed the gap on league leaders Liverpool.

Chelsea winger Noni Madueke couldn't help but chuckle when asked the inevitable question about whether Chelsea could be considered title contenders after a blistering start to the season under Enzo Maresca.

The 22-year-old was named Player of the Match as he helped the Blues storm to a 5-1 victory over struggling Southampton on Wednesday night. Madueke was amongst the goals and scored his fourth Premier League goal of the season.

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Enzo Maresca has refused to get dragged into talk of a title race since arriving from Leicester City with Liverpool still seven points clear at the top of the table, even after dropping points when drawing with Newcastle United midweek. However, with Chelsea now second in the league, the same question was asked again.

Madueke couldn't help but smirk when carefully plotting a response. The player eventually told Prime Video: "They can get excited, for sure. I came to Chelsea a couple years ago and it wasn't always like this. They should be really excited knowing we are not taking our foot off the gas and taking the games as they come."

When Maresca arrived for post-match duties, the manager was also quizzed again about his ambitions for the season but refused to get drawn into the title race debate with a short and sharp deflection.

Enzo Maresca has played down title talk.Enzo Maresca has played down title talk.
Enzo Maresca has played down title talk. | AFP via Getty Images

He said: "Tottenham, Sunday. In this moment that's the only thing, I've said many times. It's difficult to think about the end of the season. Football teams can change very quick and the focus is Tottenham. For sure, I am very happy to see our fans with us away."

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The fixtures continue to come thick and fast for Chelsea ahead of a crunch period in the Premier League over Christmas and New Year. Maresca's side welcome London rivals Spurs to Stamford Bridge on Sunday before more midweek action, this time in Europe as a trip to Kazakhstan outfit Astana in the Europa Conference League awaits.

Chelsea then face Brentford and Everton in the league, as well as Shamrock Rovers in European duty, before Christmas Day.

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