One needs to look at the league table twice, thrice or maybe more times – depending on one’s degree of disbelief – to fully grasp the fact that Manchester United find themselves level on points with Manchester City at the top of the pile. Sir Alex Ferguson’s side has barely touched second gear since an action packed start to the season; and despite flaunting an amalgamation of middle of the road and run of the mill performances, here they are separated only by goal difference from the apex of the EPL table. And while United have been busy dealing with a tough run of fixtures, City are trying their best to ensure that they make life relatively easy for their archenemy.
After City’s 1-0 defeat at Goodison Park Roberto Mancini admitted to underestimating the Everton side, as the league leaders suffered an inopportune setback in the title race. Taking teams lightly at this crucial stage doesn’t fall within any proximity of the hallmark of champions; on the contrary, it falls in the hub of that vicious circle that we call complacency. With merely 15 games to go, City need to be at their ruthless best and ensure that having been the frontrunners for almost the entirety of the season, the wheels don’t come off at the business end of the run-in. Nevertheless, while it may be too early to tout Manchester City as frittering away their chance of a first league title since the Battle of Uruk, what is clear is that fact that the signs of City feeling the heat of being favourites for the title have been growing over the past month or so.
Another facet that makes it almost impossible to fully comprehend the two rivals being level on points is the prodigious disparity between the respective injury lists. Losing out on Nemanja Vidic for the entire season would have been too strong a blow for many sides; especially considering the relative inexperience at the back. But Sir Alex’s troops have rallied on and have clung on to the coattails of their neighbours. And with the unparalleled ‘been there, done that’ feature spread out all over the squad, the management and most notably at the managerial helm, United are stealthily creeping inside City’s collective nerves.
Manchester City, therefore, need a strong showing and the desired result against Fulham today, to make sure that United realise that the ‘noisy neighbours’ have substance in their clamours this year round. Succumbing to the pressure at this critical juncture when United face a barrage of tricky fixtures is the last thing Mancini’s men need and hence they must take care of their own matters clinically and if matters go according to the form book, they could find themselves some points clear of United come March.
CHELSEA VS MAN UTD
As things stand Chelsea find themselves 12 points behind the two Manchester sides, with 15 games to go. Mathematically a title tilt is still well within the realm of possibility, but that would need a three pronged catastrophe, with the top two sides and Spurs self detonating in unison. More realistically though, a top four finish is what Chelsea are vying for , and a win against United on Sunday would go a long way in fulfilling whatever goals that Andre Villas-Boas has set for this campaign. Chelsea will be without Ashley Cole, who is suspended for the game, while John Terry and Frank Lampard are doubts with knee and calf injuries respectively; but the duo is likely to feature in the game. There is good news on the injury front for United as well, with Wayne Rooney, Nani and Ashley Young all likely to make a return for the match; however Phil Jones has been ruled out.
While Chelsea have only lost one of their last 11 matches, they have drawn five of the last eight games. And draws against the likes of Wigan, Norwich and Swansea have hindered Chelsea’s quest of weaving together a lucrative run. A United side, dumped out of all cup competitions, and hence rejuvenated knowing that the league is all they have to play for – barring a poor man’s European Cup – will be a tough nut to crack for Chelsea; especially considering the fact that United have had Chelsea’s number over the last year or so. Chelsea need to be solid at the back – an anomaly for the Blues this season – and need to start scoring goals as well – Chelsea have scored more than one goal in a game only once since their momentous 2-1 triumph over City in December. Chelsea need to be at their A game on both ends of the field to get the better of United on Sunday.
For United, the spotlight will once again be on their revitalised midfield following the return of Paul Scholes; who, along with Michael Carrick has been one of major reasons why United have kept their title challenge alive. Plus there is that young prodigy Pogba as well; and one feels that a trio of Scholes, Carrick and Pogba might just be the perfect midfield blend for Sir Alex – for the time being anyway.
LIVERPOOL VS SPURS
Liverpool would be out for vengeance in the Monday night visit of Tottenham Hotspur, after they were given a good old 4-0 battering early on in the season at White Hart Lane. Confidence is high at Anfield, with cup triumphs over the two Manchester sides, and the Carling Cup final later on this month. However, it’s a top four finish that would be at the top of the priority list, and Dalglish’s side should look to translate their awe-inspiring cup form in the league as well. With Suarez back after his eight game ban, and Steven Gerrard well rested to be unleashed, Liverpool are undoubtedly the favourites ahead of the game.
Spurs meanwhile, are ostensibly failing to earmark their goal for the season. A top four finish was the target for this season, but like so often stressed in this space, being only five points off the league leaders, Spurs can give the title a real go; especially considering the fact that neither of the ‘trail blazers’ is exactly blazing an intimidating trail. United are have tough fixtures coming up – including a trip to Tottenham – while City look like melting under the pressure cooker; maybe Spurs could swoop in a spoil the party for the neighbourhood animosity? They’d need to start off with a win at Anfield as the season draws towards a dramatic closure.
