With no signs of cracking in mentality or performance level of his former club as the tension builds, columnist Pat Nevin is impressed with what he sees.

I will admit to being pleasantly surprised that we are still in the running for the two titles the club would most like to capture. Considering he difficulties this season I would not have been amazed if it had all petered out in the last few weeks.

On the contrary however, the team appears to be getting stronger as the season reaches its amazing climax. Against Newcastle there were periods in the second half when the play could only be described as imperious.

Keegan has improved that side beyond recognition but they were totally dominated for large parts of the game, particularly in midfield.

I was going on at length last week about Michael Ballack's outstanding recent form and once again he literally and figuratively looked head and shoulders above his opponents. When Frank Lampard came on I almost felt sorry for the home side as he looked in the form of his life as well.

It was all summed up by the speed, the intelligence and the accuracy of the build up to Florent Malouda's goal. For years we have heard about the beautiful football that Arsenal produce and the skill levels of Manchester United, whereas Chelsea have been more functional.

There has undeniably been an element of truth in that but on Sunday there were movements that Arsenal and United playing together couldn't have matched.

With Frank, Michael and Michael Essien at the very peak of their powers I don't see any problem in the final two games of the season. It may not be enough to win both trophies but I still think it would rightly be considered a fine season if we finished on two wins. Indeed a few weeks ago I suggested this could be the finest season in the club's history and there is no doubt that is definitely still a possibility and for me, the players know it too and are responding.

We will however need the real Didier Drogba to turn up for the Champions League final as well. Anyone can see that the man who can be the greatest striker in the world has been up and down since he came back from the African Nations Cup.

He has however been able to produce the goods on the big occasions and I have no concerns about him in Moscow. Believe me, Sir Alex Ferguson will not be going man-to-man on him thinking he is a spent force.

That is of course one of Chelsea's strengths at the moment, the players generally do not look tired or stressed by a long season. Maybe the injuries we bemoaned to our big players early on have turned out to be a blessing in disguise as they have had the benefit of enforced rests.

One player I do not want to have a forced rest now is Ricardo Carvalho who hobbled off on Monday after two falls and a submission. It really did look as if he was taking part in a wrestling match as he was twice 'slammed' on his back in the second half. For me he summed up the team's attitude by his determination to go for every ball and win every tackle, in fact this is exactly what led to his injuries.

This attitude is however coursing through the entire squad and maybe only the best player in the world would be capable of stopping them on the march to glory.

Unfortunately Cristiano Ronaldo has been the best in the business this season, no matter what you think of him, and he must be stopped if the top club trophy in the world is to reach the Bridge at last.

My only concern in the last two games of the season, is will Michael Essien have to be moved to right back to nullify the Portuguese? It would make some sense but it would also break up that magical midfield triumvirate.

Avram Grant will make the decision and if he makes the right one we will finally be in the very elite in world football, I am getting the feeling the Israeli can handle the pressure now after what he has been through.

Last week I asked which was the first British club to win the European Cup/Champions League trophy. With Manchester United in the final this time and having won it in 1968 I thought I might fool a few. I did, but only a few as 81 per cent of you correctly said it was Glasgow Celtic in 1967.

The winner who receives the DVDs, from a very large batch of correct answers was Paula Jones from South Wales. This week to win a similar copy of the Four Ever Chelsea box set, could you tell me what unusual colour was Chelsea's away kit in season 1986/87? Odd question I know but answers as ever to pat.nevin@chelseafc.com