Gary Cahill has faith in Chelsea resolve

Blues take on Stoke City in Premier League fixture today.

LONDON:

Gary Cahill reckons Chelsea are showing the character required to pull off a second successive away victory at Stoke City on Saturday and so increase the pressure on Premier League leaders Arsenal.

Jose Mourinho's side came from behind at Sunderland on Wednesday to pull off a 4-3 victory that kept them in second place, four points behind London rivals Arsenal.

With Arsene Wenger's side due to face in-form Everton at home 24 hours after Chelsea have visited the Britannia Stadium, the clash with Stoke presents an opportunity for the Blues to close the gap, however temporarily.

And after struggling on the road at times this season, centre-back Cahill believes his side is now showing the resilience to pull off the away victories that could determine the destiny of the title.

"It's something that we have spoken about before and it's something that we have looked to address," said the England defender.

"Our home form has been so good and if we can do the same away as we have done at home then it will be great.”

Giggs confident of United revival

Ryan Giggs believes December gives Manchester United the opportunity to get back into the title race as David Moyes's team prepare to face Newcastle.

The Old Trafford side, who won a 20th league title last season, are now 12 points behind leaders Arsenal.

United veteran Giggs, who recently turned 40, feels a lack of composure in front of goal is a key reason for the club's recent problems.

But the player-coach maintains it would be wrong to write off United's title chances before the new year.

"We'll get a better idea in the new year and hopefully we can start picking up points again,” said Giggs. “We've had a few disappointing results but the performances have not been that bad. We just have to get over this disappointment now."

Meanwhile, Manchester City will look to continue the improvements in their away form when they travel to Southampton for a Premier League fixture at St Mary's on Saturday.

After losing four and drawing one of their six previous away games in the league, Wednesday's 3-2 win at West Bromwich Albion was a step in the right direction.

But, even with Vincent Kompany back after almost two months out with a thigh injury, Pellegrini will still be concerned by City conceding two goals at the Hawthorns.

"The games keep ticking away," said Kompany. "If we beat Southampton we've got a lot of things in our hands again. That's the mission.”

Published in The Express Tribune, December 7^th, 2013.

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