Cesar Azpilicueta has played a key role in Chelseas recent revival. Here, he tells Johnny Phillips about Antonio Contes tactics, the team spirit in the camp and plans for a late-season sprint for the title... This is not the Premier League season to be switching off. It changes by the week. Five contenders currently separated by just one point suggest that, even at this early stage, we could be witnessing the most competitive title chase in years.Take Chelsea. They entered October fresh from a dispiriting 3-0 defeat at Arsenal and were being written off by plenty of observers, but now the Blues head into the last game of the same month with three wins, three clean sheets and their heads held high after a 4-0 demolition of Manchester United. Cesar Azpilicueta scored a spectacular equaliser as Chelsea came from two goals down to beat Leicester 4-2 in the EFL Cup Third Round The key for the team has been the change in system. Manager Antonio Conte jettisoned his four-man defence after the Arsenal debacle and for the next game away at Hull lined up with three at the back; Cesar Azpilicueta, David Luiz and Gary Cahill. The three men have remained in place in the Premier League since that trip to Hull and the team has progressively improved against Leicester and then United.It is a system Azpilicueta has enjoyed operating in. I find it good. The most important thing for me is the team and since we changed the system we havent conceded goals in the Premier League, he told Sky Sports. The most important part of the system is the spirit of the team and the way we work. The tactics make a difference but what was most pleasing was the way the team work?made it happen. Cesar Azpilicueta I try to play my part in the team. The most important part of the system is the spirit of the team and the way we work. The tactics make a difference but what was most pleasing was the way the team work made it happen. Some players have different roles now but we have all week to work on that and we have a very clear idea what to do in the game. We have different options from the attacking fullbacks now.Ahead of Azpilicueta on the right hand side is Victor Moses, who has successfully adapted to the role of right wing-back and appears to be flourishing with the new-found responsibility. Victor has played most of the time as a winger but he has to defend in this role now and he needs help, Azpilicueta continues. Why Contes 3-4-3 works Chelseas switch to 3-4-3 has been a success. We analyse why its working so well. I have talked with him and explained a lot of the defensive side because he has to adapt to that now. Hes offensive-minded, we have seen that when he gets in those positions, but hes working hard and its great to have him in the side.Moses could have no better on-field tutor. It is two years now since Gary Neville described the Spaniard as as near to perfect as is possible when it comes to defending. Azpilicuetas performances dipped last season but his current form is as close to those near-perfect displays as is possible. For positional awareness and cleanness in the tackle there is no-one to touch him. So does he prefer his new role in the side to that of fullback? I dont mind - I want to help the team whatever the position is!You can add diplomacy to those qualities too. Azpilicueta is happier discussing the virtues of his team-mates. When NGolo Kante scored Chelseas fourth against United the entire outfield team joined in the celebrations. It was a popular goal. He will not change. Hes a worker, says Azpilicueta. But he knows when he has a chance to go forward that he can do it very well. On that occasion he scored an amazing goal. Its important for us as well that he can contribute an extra dimension like that because it gives us extra options.There were four different goalscorers against United. Thats really important because you always need to have a few options. We scored from set-pieces and individual excellence, thats great because you need to create those chances and score in different ways when needed. Watch highlights of Chelsea 4-0 Man Utd The euphoria of the United win was dampened in the midweek EFL Cup fourth round tie, when Conte made seven changes from the league match and Chelsea lost 2-1 at West Ham United. Frustrating?Yes, frustrating, because we have lost one of the three chances we had to win a trophy. I think we could have done better. When you lose that type of game you have to look to improve. We are in very good form in the league and we have to move forward from Wednesday and come back strong.What Chelsea fans want to know is whether or not Contes first season at Stamford Bridge will end with him landing the big one. Azpilicueta is happy to talk titles, but it comes with a caveat. Watch NOW TV Watch Sky Sports for just ￡6.99. No contract. Even though we are one point off the lead it still feels like we are a long way away. Id like to be higher, we have to keep improving. The two games we lost in a row and also the dropped points at Swansea hurt us a lot, he explains.We have to keep getting the points to be up there. We have the chance to prepare all week for a game because we dont have European football. We want to be there and we will try and arrive at the final sprint with a chance to win the title. But its a long way off, we have to think about Southampton away first.Azpilicueta may not want to look too far into the future, but if Chelsea can replicate Octobers form in the forthcoming months they will have a major say in the title reckoning. Also See: Why Contes 3-4-3 works Half-term Premier League grades http://www.cowboysrookieproshop.com/Cowboys-James-Hanna-Jersey/ . PAUL, Minn. http://www.cowboysrookieproshop.com/Cowboys-Brice-Butler-Jersey/ . Dusautoir, the former World Player of the Year, sustained a torn bicep playing for Toulouse in the Heineken Cup on Saturday. The flanker, who has played 65 times for France, is expected to be out for up to four months. http://www.cowboysrookieproshop.com/Cowboys-Robert-Newhouse-Jersey/ .ca. Hey Kerry, big fan of yours, just finished reading your book. I think that we all saw the Canucks/Flames line brawl just after puck drop. It was obvious that something was about to happen, even to the referees because the fourth lines were on to start. http://www.cowboysrookieproshop.com/Cowboys-Joe-Looney-Jersey/ .J. -- Josh Cribbs was in the Pro Bowl in February and out of a job six months later. http://www.cowboysrookieproshop.com/Cowboys-Tyrone-Crawford-Jersey/ . After a lengthy wait, persistent rain finally forced the postponement of the Nationals game against the Miami Marlins on Saturday night. The teams, and a few thousand fans, waited nearly four hours from the 7:05 scheduled start time before an announcement was made shortly before 11 p. CHICAGO -- Carlos Rodon struck out a season-high nine over six innings, Adam Eaton doubled twice and scored two runs and the Chicago White Sox beat Kansas City 7-2 on Friday night to prevent the Royals from gaining ground in the playoff race.Rodon (7-8) fanned Paulo Orlando with the bases loaded on his 116th pitch to end the sixth inning and move to 5-0 in his last seven starts.Kendrys Morales had a two-run single in the first inning for Kansas City, which has dropped six of nine and remained four games behind the second wild-card after Detroit beat Baltimore.Eaton doubled to lead off the first and fifth innings off Yordano Ventura (10-10) and scored each time on Melky Cabrera RBI. Tyler Saladino had three hits and drove in two runs in Chicagos third straight win over a playoff contender.The 23-year-old Rodon struggled early this season and went on the disabled list after he sprained his left wrist slipping on the dugout steps. But the lefty has been sharp since returning.In his career-high 24th start, Rodon allowed two runs -- one earned -- and six hits while lowering his ERA to 1.85 ERA in his past seven outings, all quality starts.Jose Abreu and Justin Morneau added RBI singles as Chicago had 13 hits.Ventura allowed five runs -- four earned -- and 10 hits over seven innings in taking his first loss in seven starts.Dan Jennings got five outs and Tommy Kahnle worked the ninthh for the White Sox, who have won five of seven despite slim playoff hopes.ddddddddddddRAINERS ROOMRoyals: C Salvador Perez (bruised right wrist) sat out a second straight game. He still feels it a little bit when he swings, manager Ned Yost said. He feels fine when he throws, so were definitely making progress. Well shoot for tomorrow. . RF Lorenzo Cain (wrist) started for the first time since Aug. 30, but looked uncomfortable throwing. . LHP Matt Strahm left to attend his grandfathers funeral and was expected back Saturday.White Sox: Struggling RHP James Shields was cleared to start Saturday after complaining of a sore back in his last outing. Shields hasnt missed a start since 2007. I just want to post every five days and throw 200 innings, Shields said. Im obviously not going to get (200 innings) this year for the first time in nine seasons, which is disappointing.HOT SOXAbreu went 2 for 4 to improve to 22 for 50 (.440) with 16 RBI in his past 11 games. Saladino is 6 for 8 in the past two games.TIRED SORIAYost said hes been overusing struggling reliever Joakim Soria and planned to limit his appearances. Soria has six blown saves and eight losses.UP NEXTShields (5-17, 6.07 ERA) will face Royals RHP Edinson Volquez (10-10, 5.02) on Saturday night. 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