Before Pat Nevin's column next week comes 180 minutes of Chelsea action that he believes could put the team in a very healthy position indeed. Spain-bound, our former player looks in detail at the games ahead.

Yet another fantastic win at the weekend and the avalanche of goals continues to flow from the team. I really did think the trip to Bolton would be a tricky one but after a tight start, it was a procession by the end. Talking about the end, wasn't the final goal a thing of amazing beauty?

I know the world considers Arsenal to be the only team capable of that sort of play in England, along with Barcelona in a European context, but I think a wee bit more eulogising on Match of the Day should have been in order. Maybe other highlights programmes around the globe were quicker to give the praise it deserved.

So the incredible run of games in such a short period has so far been negotiated by the Blues better than anyone else in the Premier League. Liverpool have had an awful time and even Manchester United dropped three precious points at Anfield as Benitez's boys got themselves up for one supreme effort out of six.

United will however be desperate to rectify that on Sunday in the biggest match of the season so far. The Reds have been going through a period that has delivered a good return of points, but they haven't been playing anywhere near their best. Sir Alex will know that they have to up their game if they are not going to leave the Bridge empty handed.

Their biggest problems revolve round their continuing inability to replace the goals and the options now unavailable from the departed Ronaldo, along with a surprising drop in form at centre back. For a long time Ferdinand and Vidic have looked like something approaching the perfect partnership. Rio reads the game and his pace gets him out of trouble, while his sidekick nails anyone who has the temerity to come into his area. Suddenly Rio has looked more leaden-footed than at any point in his career, possibly due to injury but who knows, and Vidic has looked more reckless than fearless in a few games.

Their manager might even consider dropping one or other at the Bridge in favour of the impressive Jonny Evans, but what it all says is that they are not all on fine form, unlike Chelsea. Ancelotti seems to have an embarrassment of riches in comparison, particularly since the reintroduction of Joe Cole.

I am of course getting ahead of myself because there is the small matter of a Champions League game in Madrid tonight. A win here and qualification secured, a huge benefit at this point in the season. There must be a temptation to rest one or two for this one, with United in mind, but this might be a tad short-sighted. Three points here will lead to two relaxed fixtures to come and who knows what the injury situation will be then?

I'm actually typing this at the airport on the way out to Madrid, where I will be working on the game for BBC Radio 5 Live as co-commentator. Yes I know - isn't it a tough job getting paid to fly to the Spanish capital to watch Chelsea play, but as they say someone has to do it!

It will be a great atmosphere nonetheless as Atlético have to go for it if they want to qualify. It isn't very often that Chelsea have the luxury of playing against any team that is willing to have a real go and play an open style. As a striker or an attacking midfielder, it is a joy to suddenly have space to run in to instead of a wall of ten defenders and a goalkeeper in your face every time you get the ball.

It is indeed one of those occasions away from home that every forward player will want to play in. Be it Deco or Cole at the tip of the diamond, or Frank Lampard arriving from deeper, I suspect that even if Chelsea do not have the lion's share of the possession, they will still create chances.

On another note, isn't it great to see the problems that had begun to surface at corners and free kicks apparently being rectified so quickly? I did say on this page that marking at set pieces was one of the easiest things to sort out on the training pitch and of late that has been the case. I hope it stays just as tight over the next 180 minutes of play, if it does then the season could be looking very rosy indeed.

Last week I asked who scored the first goal of the Mourinho era? Well there were a few different correct answers, and I should have mentioned that I was looking for the first competitive goal. Kezman scored in a friendly at Oxford and Smertin in the States that many mentioned but it was the goal by Eidur Gudjohnsen in a 1-0 win against this week's opponents Manchester United that I was looking for. So the winner randomly chosen was Colin Davidson from Belfast in Northern Ireland.

This week to stand a chance of winning the Chelsea Here, Chelsea There book for which I have contributed memories, could you tell me which trophy did Chelsea win in 1985?

Answers as ever to pat.nevin@chelseafc.com Good luck to you and the lads this week.