Chelsea v Manchester City
14/10 draw 23/10 19/10
English Premier League champions Manchester City took their place at the top of the table after crushing Aston Villa 5-0 last weekend, and Manchester United losing 1-0 at Norwich. They face a tough task to retain their placed as they travel to Stamford Bridge to face third place Chelsea this weekend with rival’s United hosting bottom of the table QPR.
Chelsea have now gone four games without a win and are four points off City after losing 2-1 at West Brom last weekend. It is now no wins in four league games (L, D, D, L) for the European Champions who started the league like a house on fire winning seven and drawing one of their opening eight matches. Their loss came at an awkward time, sandwiched in between an international break and a crucial Champions League match against Juventus, Chelsea struggled with an under-strength side, emphasising a lack of depth in their squad. Shane Long put West Brom ahead at the Hawthorns with a 10th-minute header but Eden Hazard drew the visitors level when he nodded in Cesar Azpilicueta’s cross six minutes before half-time. Peter Odemwingie’s near-post header from Long’s centre saw the home side reclaim the initiative five minutes into the second half and the introductions of Juan Mata and Oscar could not turn the match in Chelsea’s favour. The form of striker Fernando Torres hasn’t helped the Chelsea cause. The Blues looked far more dangerous at The Hawthorns when Daniel Sturridge replaced Torres. Chelsea have won four of their six home matches but when coming up against tougher opponents in their last two in Manchester United and Liverpool, they lost and drew respectively.
At the Etihad Stadium, two goals apiece from Argentine duo Sergio Aguero and Carlos Tevez, took them top of the league for the first time this season. Once David Silva had given the hosts the lead with a close range toe-poke seconds before half-time, Aston Villa had little response. Aguero converted in the 54th-minute from the spot kick for a handball and 11 minutes later they had another penalty – this time Tevez taking the responsibility after Villa were again penalised for a handball. Aguero made it four with a deflected effort and Tevez kept pace with his compatriot for his second on 74 minutes capping off a resounding win for the defending champions as they ended the day leading the pack one point ahead of United. With their eight wins and four draws, City are the only team unbeaten in the Premier League. They are the joint second top scorers behind Manchester United with 25 goals and have conceded the least goals in the league, 10. City have been decent on their travels with two wins and three draws but they are the only team this season to have gone to West Brom and collect all three points. The Chelsea defence – without captain John Terry who is injured – will have their hands full trying to contain Sergio Aguero and Carlos Tevez who are looking their dangerous selves.
City pulled the double over Chelsea last season winning the most recent encounter 3-2 at this venue. Both had crucial Champions League matches to contend with in midweek but it’s City who have the depth in their squad to freshen things up here. Back the away win at a valuable 19/10.
