"We are getting good results against the top sides and not slipping up against the smaller ones. It is fair to say that we are emerging as challengers for the title," he said.
"There is still a big gap to reduce but as the season goes on and we keep getting the results, our confidence will get bigger and bigger.
"We have shown that there is very little between us and Chelsea. With more consistency of performance in all the games I reckon we are in a good position to challenge them.
"There have been times that Liverpool have looked ready to make the step and really get into the title race, but haven't really done so. Now we look better equipped."