LONDON: Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca said the chaotic end to his side`s 2-1 win over Brentford exemplified why they are not yet ready to compete for the Premier League title.

The Blues closed to within two points of leaders Liverpool, who have a game in hand, thanks to a fifth consecutive league win on Sunday.

Marc Cucurella and Nicolas Jackson struck for the home side before Bryan Mbeumo`s 90th-minute goal sparked a nervy finale.

Cucurella was sent off in stoppage time but the 10 men held on for victory.

`For me no matter how many games we win, there are things (that show) we`re not ready to compete for the title in this moment. A team who knows how to win wouldn`t concede that goal, said Maresca, who has repeatedly shot down the idea of challenging for the title.

`The fans, they can dream and think. But us inside as a club, as a squad, as players, as coaching staff, we need to be realistic.

Maresca was frustrated by Chelsea`s inability to kill the game off earlier as they dominated the west London derby for long spells.

But it was an ideal weekend for his side as Liverpool and third-placed Arsenal both drew at home on Saturday, while defending champions Manchester City fell further off the pace with a 2-1 defeat to Manchester United.

Meanwhile, Tottenham Hotspur scored five goals in the opening half of a Premier League game for the first time in their history as they thrashed bottom club Southampton 5-0 away.

James Maddison scored twice, his first after 36 seconds and his second on the stroke of halftime, while Son Heung-min, Dejan Kulusevski and Pape Matar Sarr were also on target.

Shortly after the defeat Southampton, who are at the bottom of the table, sacked their manager Russell Martin.

`The reality of our situation is clear. The board have supported Russell and his staff and been open and transparent regarding our expectations,` a club statement read.-Agencies