In the space of just a couple of weeks, Chelsea seem to have gone from title also-rans to genuine contenders, much to the delight of the west London locals in the Transfer Tavern.

As September ended, it looked as though the Blues would struggle to even challenge for a top-four finish after being outclassed in losses to Liverpool and Arsenal.

But a change in tactics and improved team spirit has seen Antonio Conte’s side notch convincing victories against Hull City, champions Leicester City and – in perhaps their most impressive performance yet – Manchester United.

United – now being managed by former-Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho – were played off the park as they were humiliated 4-0 at Stamford Bridge.

It was a superb team performance from Chelsea as Pedro, Gary Cahill, Eden Hazard and N’Golo Kante all scored as the Blues ran riot.

Conte’s side are now just a point off the top of the league and look ready to mount a title challenge.

Here are three reasons we here in the Transfer Tavern think they can do it.

NEW FORMATION HAS TRANSFORMED THE BLUES

As was mentioned in the intro, Chelsea’s new formation really seems to be paying dividends.

Since switching to a three-man defence, it seems to have solved the Blues’ defensive woes.

David Luiz and Gary Cahill are looking more comfortable than they did as a two-man partnership and have helped their side to three consecutive clean sheets.

The Blues are showing no signs of losing their defensive stubbornness and, providing they can keep it up, they should carry on grinding out wins and picking points up like Chelsea sides of old.

NO EUROPEAN FOOTBALL

Another big plus point for Chelsea is their lack of European football.

The Blues didn’t qualify for the Champions League or Europa League as a result of their 10th place finished last season.

While their fans are disappointed their side are not among Europe’s elite this year, they do at least have the advantage of not having to travel abroad in the week like some of their rivals do.

They also got knocked out of the EFL Cup by West Ham earlier in the week, clearing up their schedule even further.

HAZARD AND COSTA BACK TO THEIR BEST

When you think of Chelsea’s title success of the 2014/15 season, two players that immediately spring to mind are Eden Hazard and Diego Costa.

Hazard won the PFA Player of the Year award that year, while Costa scored 20 goals and bullied defences in his debut season.

Last year, both players were fairly poor by their standards, with the Spaniard only managing 12 goals and the Belgian going absent for large periods of the season.

Under Conte however, both players seem to have regained their form. Costa is the league’s top scorer with seven goals in nine games, while Hazard is flourishing in the Italian’s new formation.