Chelsea out to steal march on dormant rivals
Blues to challenge Tottenham in Premier League clash.
Chelsea are keen on maintaining their galvanised position on top of the table when they face Tottenham, with an eye on opening up a seven-point lead. PHOTO: AFP
LONDON:
With none of their Premier League title rivals in action this weekend, leaders Chelsea can open up a seven-point lead at the summit by beating Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday.
Arsenal’s defeat at Stoke City last weekend, coupled with Manchester City’s involvement in the League Cup final, saw Chelsea move four points clear and victory over Spurs would further galvanise their position.
And with this, Chelsea forward Andre Schurrle says that he and his teammates are increasingly sure of their title credentials.
“We have to believe it,” said the Germany international, who scored a hat-trick in last weekend’s 3-1 success at Fulham. “I think everyone believes it now. We have worked hard for this.”
Jose Mourinho’s Chelsea are unbeaten in 13 league matches, winning 10 and drawing three, but in Tottenham they face a team with designs on a Champions League place.
Tim Sherwood’s side bounced back from a defeat at Norwich City by winning 1-0 at home to Cardiff City last Sunday and could close to within a point of the top four if they prevail at Stamford Bridge.
United looking for West Brom win
Another team looking to capitalise on the inactivity of teams above them are Manchester United, who could draw level on points with sixth-place Everton if they win at West Bromwich Albion.
David Moyes’s side have not played since slumping to a 2-0 loss at Olympiakos in the first-leg of their Champions League last 16 tie on February 25 and begin the weekend 12 points below the top four.
United’s last trip to The Hawthorns was for Alex Ferguson’s final game as manager – a madcap 5-5 draw on the final day of last season – but while that sunny May day now seems a distant memory amid the club’s current struggles, record signing Juan Mata says that there is plenty still to play for.
“A thrilling month is starting with five Premier League games against important rivals such as Liverpool and Manchester City,” the Spanish midfielder wrote on his personal blog this week.
“We do know it is a crucial month to climb up positions on the league table and we are going to give our best to try and win every single match.”
Elsewhere, Norwich host Stoke, while Southampton visit fifth-bottom Crystal Palace.
Published in The Express Tribune, March 8th, 2014.
With none of their Premier League title rivals in action this weekend, leaders Chelsea can open up a seven-point lead at the summit by beating Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday.
Arsenal’s defeat at Stoke City last weekend, coupled with Manchester City’s involvement in the League Cup final, saw Chelsea move four points clear and victory over Spurs would further galvanise their position.
And with this, Chelsea forward Andre Schurrle says that he and his teammates are increasingly sure of their title credentials.
“We have to believe it,” said the Germany international, who scored a hat-trick in last weekend’s 3-1 success at Fulham. “I think everyone believes it now. We have worked hard for this.”
Jose Mourinho’s Chelsea are unbeaten in 13 league matches, winning 10 and drawing three, but in Tottenham they face a team with designs on a Champions League place.
Tim Sherwood’s side bounced back from a defeat at Norwich City by winning 1-0 at home to Cardiff City last Sunday and could close to within a point of the top four if they prevail at Stamford Bridge.
United looking for West Brom win
Another team looking to capitalise on the inactivity of teams above them are Manchester United, who could draw level on points with sixth-place Everton if they win at West Bromwich Albion.
David Moyes’s side have not played since slumping to a 2-0 loss at Olympiakos in the first-leg of their Champions League last 16 tie on February 25 and begin the weekend 12 points below the top four.
United’s last trip to The Hawthorns was for Alex Ferguson’s final game as manager – a madcap 5-5 draw on the final day of last season – but while that sunny May day now seems a distant memory amid the club’s current struggles, record signing Juan Mata says that there is plenty still to play for.
“A thrilling month is starting with five Premier League games against important rivals such as Liverpool and Manchester City,” the Spanish midfielder wrote on his personal blog this week.
“We do know it is a crucial month to climb up positions on the league table and we are going to give our best to try and win every single match.”
Elsewhere, Norwich host Stoke, while Southampton visit fifth-bottom Crystal Palace.
Published in The Express Tribune, March 8th, 2014.