Twist in title race as Chelsea loses
Print Edition
MAYBE it won’t be a procession to the English Premier League trophy for Chelsea, after all.
The leader’s 1-2 loss at home to relegation-threatened Crystal Palace on Saturday provided an unexpected twist to a title race that most observers thought was virtually over, with Chelsea holding a 10-point lead and in seemingly unstoppable form.
Chelsea’s advantage is down to seven points after second-place Tottenham beat Burnley 2-0 for a fourth straight victory.
Chelsea remains the big favorite to become English champion for a second time in three years but it could really get interesting on Wednesday if Antonio Conte’s side slips up again — and there is a good chance as Manchester City is visiting Stamford Bridge.
The schedule for the next month also raises the prospect that the title race could be prolonged longer than many expected, with Chelsea also playing Manchester United away in two weeks’ time.
Spurs’ next three games, meanwhile, are against Swansea, Watford, and Bournemouth — all of whom are still not clear of relegation trouble.
It was only a fourth league loss this season for Chelsea, and first since the 2-0 defeat at Tottenham on January 4.
Chelsea had won its previous 10 home league matches stretching back to October.
Meanwhile, winning the Europa League may offer Manchester United its best chance of a Champions League return after drawing 0-0 against West Bromich Albion.
West Brom was the eighth side to leave Old Trafford with a draw this campaign, joining the likes of Hull, Stoke, and Burnley in defying injury-hit United.
United stayed fifth and was four points behind Manchester City, the occupier of the final Champions League qualification place, having played the same number of games.
Liverpool beat city rival Everton 3-1 to make it 13 Merseyside derbies in the league without defeat since October 2010 — equaling a club record.
The win was inspired by Brazil playmaker Philippe Coutinho, who scored one goal after a weaving run and also set up substitute Divock Origi for the clinching third.
Winger Sadio Mane scored the opening goal for Liverpool in the eighth minute but limped off with a left leg injury in the 57th after landing awkwardly in a challenge.
Liverpool already has attacking midfielder Adam Lallana out injured.
Last-place Sunderland dropped seven points adrift of safety by losing 0-1 at Watford and third-to-last Hull rallied to beat West Ham 2-1.
Middlesbrough wasted a chance to boost its survival bid as the Premier League side was held to a 0-0 draw by relegation rival Swansea yesterday.
- About Us
- |
- Terms of Use
- |
-
RSS - |
- Privacy Policy
- |
- Contact Us
- |
- Shanghai Call Center: 962288
- |
- Tip-off hotline: 52920043
- 沪ICP证：沪ICP备05050403号-1
- |
- 互联网新闻信息服务许可证：31120180004
- |
- 网络视听许可证：0909346
- |
- 广播电视节目制作许可证：沪字第354号
- |
- 增值电信业务经营许可证：沪B2-20120012
Copyright © 1999- Shanghai Daily. All rights reserved.Preferably viewed with Internet Explorer 8 or newer browsers.
