Football: We’re back in the race says Villas-Boas

Victory over City restores Chelsea’s title hopes.

LONDON: Andre Villas-Boas believes his Chelsea side are back in the thick of the title race following their 2-1 win over Premier League leaders Manchester City on Monday.

Victory over saw Chelsea move to within seven points of City who suffered their first defeat in 15 league games so far this season. And having also secured their passage to the knockout stages of the Champions League as winners of their qualifying group, Chelsea manager Villas-Boas is convinced the London club’s fortunes have been transformed after a difficult few weeks when his long-term future was questioned.

“It’s been a good win for us,” he said. “It changes our challenge for the Premier League. “The reality is we have to agree there have never been so many teams competing for the title. Manchester City are competing, Tottenham are competing, Liverpool look solid, Arsenal are coming from the death to recover again their title hopes.

“I could be wrong but I don’t recall so many teams feeling so strong.”

Mario Balotelli had fired City ahead in the opening two minutes but Meireles equalised in the 34th minute before Lampard completed the comeback from the spot in the 83rd minute.

City manager Roberto Mancini insisted his side’s challenge would not be knocked off course by one defeat.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 14^th, 2011.