Andre Villas-Boas: Chelsea can still win the Premier League

DEFIANT ... Andre Villas-Boas

ANDRE VILLAS-BOAS insists Chelsea can still win the Premier League after ending a period of "chaos" with a much-needed victory over Wolves at Stamford Bridge.

But the 34-year-old admits he is still under pressure to lift the Londoners up the table and reckons next month could be key to his future and that of the club.

The Blues had dropped to fifth in the table after losing two of their previous three league games — a run that included defeats against rivals Liverpool and Arsenal.

But they returned to winning ways at home today thanks to goals from John Terry, Daniel Sturridge and Juan Mata.

The team's performance was rusty at times, and Wolves' poor marking made the task much easier, but the Portuguese did take some encouragement from ending the club's losing streak.

Villas-Boas' men remain in fifth and trail leaders Manchester City by nine points having played one game more.

But he still thinks catching Roberto Mancini's team is possible if they now go on a run.

He said: "I think we can win the title. We have most of the same players who have won the title before.

"We have the talent and belief will be the last thing to die with us.

"Man City play tomorrow in a difficult game at Liverpool.

"It's difficult for us to look at a distant leader.

"In the past we have seen examples of us shortening distances but for that example to serve as inspiration we need to get the winning streak back like we did last year."

Villas-Boas had spent most of this week trying to shake off the comparisons with the winter slump the club endured under Carlo Ancelotti last season — a slide that eventually cost the Italian his job.

Ancelotti did manage to engineer an upturn in form after the new year, however, and Villas-Boas now hopes his side can emulate that run after finally putting an end to his most tumultuous week in charge at the Bridge.

He added: "In my opinion chaos happened. We were exposed a couple of times with group mistakes in recent games.

"Now we have to correct them to make sure we are on the right track. From now on so it's a good challenge for the team and hopefully we can now respond in this period.

"December will be important. We have a Champions League fixture still to play but the rest of the games are in the Premier League and this month will play a big part in what happens in the league.

"We have some important games. Newcastle away, Manchester City at home and Tottenham away, these are difficult games but can make a difference for us in the table."

Having made the worst start of any Blues boss in the Roman Abramovich era, Villas-Boas was under intense pressure before today's game and he admits it has not receded despite taking three points against Wolves.

He said: "It does not take the pressure off me. We have to continue to grow as a team.

"In recent games we did not deserve to lose, but it influences opinions and that is part of the job."

Wolves sit just above the relegation zone and have won just once in their last 11 games.

Manager Mick McCarthy was disappointed to see his side gift Chelsea a three-goal first half lead but was encouraged with the more confident display they showed in the second period.

He said: "It was not good enough from us.

"At half-time I asked them to salvage a bit of pride and self-respect.

"Our fans were fabulous. They paid £50 and at least we gave them something to cheer, although we did not brighten their experience too much, at least we gave them something to cheer about in the second half."