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Spurs under 'so much pressure' after Chelsea win, says Graeme Souness

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Graeme Souness warns Tottenham they will have to hit top form for tonight's big game away to Crystal Palace, live on Sky Sports

Graeme Souness says Tottenham are "under so much pressure" after Chelsea's potentially crucial win over Southampton on Tuesday.

Having lost at Manchester United in their last Premier League outing, Chelsea restored their seven-point lead at the top of the table with a 4-2 victory over Saints at Stamford Bridge.

Spurs had been hoping for a slip-up ahead of their trip to Crystal Palace on Wednesday, live on Sky Sports.

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Instead, they now need to match Chelsea's result against an in-form Palace to keep their title hopes alive.

"Chelsea have put Tottenham under so much pressure," said Souness on Sky Sports.

"They really know now that they can't slip up. They would have been hoping for a negative reaction tonight, but I think this might be a really important game in the bigger picture.

"Spurs will really have to be at their best to beat Palace tomorrow.

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Highlights: Chelsea 4-2 Southampton

"It's a big night for Chelsea and a big three points. As a Tottenham player you were hoping Saints could nick something, but Chelsea showed no weaknesses, physically or mentally."

After scoring early through Eden Hazard, Chelsea were pegged back by Oriol Romeu's close-range finish.

But Gary Cahill made it 2-1 before half-time and Diego Costa netted twice in the second half to ensure the Blues ran out comfortable winners.

It's a big night for Chelsea and a big three points...They showed no weaknesses, physically or mentally.
Graeme Souness

"They were very effective," said Souness. "They defended properly and didn't give many chances away against a good attacking Southampton team.

"This Chelsea team can pick you off and they have some fabulous players up front. Costa is raw aggression and Hazard has dancing feet. It was very impressive from Chelsea."

Jamie Redknapp said Hazard and Costa were "unplayable".

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Gary Cahill says Chelsea have taken a 'massive step' with victory over Southampton

"Some of the football they played today was so good," he commented. "Costa and Hazard today were unplayable. Southampton couldn't live with them.

"I thought they were great. The football they are playing is so exciting, this side is playing with a lot of flair and a lot of excitement."

There has been speculation that Costa could leave Chelsea in the summer, with Tianjin Quanjian interested in signing the striker.

Redknapp questioned who the Blues would replace him with, adding: "It's very difficult to find a player who is so physically strong but also possesses such natural ability with the ball at his feet.

"He's a midfielder's dream. He's a throwback centre forward with that lovely touch that he has."

Watch Crystal Palace v Tottenham live on Sky Sports 1 HD from 7.30pm on Wednesday.

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