Advantage Chelsea but title race still wide open
Source: Agencies |
April 5, 2010, Monday
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CHELSEA moved back to the top of the English Premier League with a memorable 2-1 win over Manchester United at Old Trafford on Saturday but the race for the title remains wide open with five matches to play.
With Arsenal having snatched a late 1-0 victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers with a header from Nicklas Bendtner deep into stoppage time, just three points separate Chelsea (74 points), United (72) and Arsenal (71).
Bookmakers Ladbrokes installed Chelsea as 6/4 favorite for the title, followed by United at 12/5 and Arsenal at 9/2 but with all three teams still facing tricky matches before the season ends on May 9, the outcome is far from certain.
Unlike many recent seasons which have developed into a one- or two-horse race, this campaign saw the lead changing hands for the 20th time on Saturday.
Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti was naturally delighted with his team's success but played down any title talk after goals from Joe Cole and Didier Drogba, who was offside when he collected the ball before scoring, gave his side the points.
Asked if he thought Chelsea was now favorite to win the title, Ancelotti told Sky Sports: "No we are not the favorites.
"We might be top of the league but we have to play five matches and have to pay attention and stay focused and maintain our composure, but nothing is decided yet."
Chelsea, seeking its first championship since back-to-back successes in 2005 and 2006 and eyeing an FA Cup and league double, can gain confidence from one telling statistic.
Saturday's win completed the double over United this season following its 1-0 victory at home in November.
Meanwhile, Manchester City rose to fourth, which brings a spot in the Champions League playoffs, by crushing Burnley 6-1 at Turf Moor. Tottenham Hotspur slipped to fifth after losing 1-3 at Sunderland. Aston Villa won 1-0 at Bolton Wanderers to stay five behind City and level with Liverpool.
City made the best start to a Premier League match by any team for 17 years with three goals in the opening seven minutes from Emmanuel Adebayor, Craig Bellamy and Carlos Tevez.
Patrick Vieira, Adebayor and Vincent Kompany then completed the rout on a quagmire of a pitch.
Arsenal scored its third injury-time winner in six matches to beat Wolves.
The Gunners were made to fight by Wolves who had Karl Henry sent off after 66 minutes for a foul on Tomas Rosicky, a red card Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger said was harsh.
(Agencies)
With Arsenal having snatched a late 1-0 victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers with a header from Nicklas Bendtner deep into stoppage time, just three points separate Chelsea (74 points), United (72) and Arsenal (71).
Bookmakers Ladbrokes installed Chelsea as 6/4 favorite for the title, followed by United at 12/5 and Arsenal at 9/2 but with all three teams still facing tricky matches before the season ends on May 9, the outcome is far from certain.
Unlike many recent seasons which have developed into a one- or two-horse race, this campaign saw the lead changing hands for the 20th time on Saturday.
Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti was naturally delighted with his team's success but played down any title talk after goals from Joe Cole and Didier Drogba, who was offside when he collected the ball before scoring, gave his side the points.
Asked if he thought Chelsea was now favorite to win the title, Ancelotti told Sky Sports: "No we are not the favorites.
"We might be top of the league but we have to play five matches and have to pay attention and stay focused and maintain our composure, but nothing is decided yet."
Chelsea, seeking its first championship since back-to-back successes in 2005 and 2006 and eyeing an FA Cup and league double, can gain confidence from one telling statistic.
Saturday's win completed the double over United this season following its 1-0 victory at home in November.
Meanwhile, Manchester City rose to fourth, which brings a spot in the Champions League playoffs, by crushing Burnley 6-1 at Turf Moor. Tottenham Hotspur slipped to fifth after losing 1-3 at Sunderland. Aston Villa won 1-0 at Bolton Wanderers to stay five behind City and level with Liverpool.
City made the best start to a Premier League match by any team for 17 years with three goals in the opening seven minutes from Emmanuel Adebayor, Craig Bellamy and Carlos Tevez.
Patrick Vieira, Adebayor and Vincent Kompany then completed the rout on a quagmire of a pitch.
Arsenal scored its third injury-time winner in six matches to beat Wolves.
The Gunners were made to fight by Wolves who had Karl Henry sent off after 66 minutes for a foul on Tomas Rosicky, a red card Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger said was harsh.
(Agencies)
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