Carvalho wants Chelsea stars to stick together

LONDON: Ricardo Carvalho has told his Chelsea teammates they must stick together in Wednesday's clash against Portsmouth to avoid any more of the costly blunders that threaten to derail their title challenge.

After moving five points clear at the top of the Premier League on the back of five successive cleansheets, culminating in a ruthless 3-0 win at Arsenal late last month, the previously impenetrable Chelsea defense has been leaking goals at an alarming rate.

Carlo Ancelotti's rearguard has been breached 10 times in four games in all competitions, with Everton taking advantage of more sloppy play by Carvalho, John Terry, Petr Cech and company in Saturday's 3-3 draw.