Manchester City’s 3-0 win over Southampton sees Chelsea’s lead at the top of the Premier League table cut to just six points.
13 rounds of the Premier League have been played and already the race to finish first come season’s end is heating up.
Our #360debate today is: Manchester City have what it takes to catch leaders Chelsea?
Alam Khan, Reporter, says YES
Any doubts about whether Manchester City were capable of catching Chelsea and retaining their title were dispelled in 16 minutes at St Mary’s yesterday.
Holding a 1-0 lead after Eliaquim Mangala’s dismissal for a second yellow card, a tough, tense finale was expected against a Southampton side that had won five of six home games and held second place beforehand.
But City were nerveless and possessed a will to win that has been seen all too fleetingly in this campaign.
They were supreme in sealing an emphatic 3-0 success, and with nine men too after captain Vincent Kompany limped off and Manuel Pellegrini had used all his subs. Those changes had proved crucial to the outcome.
James Milner linked up superbly with Frank Lampard for the second goal and then Lampard and another substitute, Martin Demichelis, played their part in a thrilling third for Gael Clichy.
It was a magnificent move, started from a Saints corner when Lampard chested down calmly to Clichy, got the return ball and released Demichelis, who was strangely so far forward. The defender found Aguero and Clichy finished in style.
This was clinical counterattacking and the whole performance highlighted their spirit as questions had been asked about their ambition.
People always look at a game or result as a turning point in a season and the midweek 3-2 Champions League win over Bayern Munich has restored belief and provided the bravado that every titlewinning team has.
Happy for a victory against a tough rival that hadn’t lost in their turf so far. We’re closer now! C’mon, City!
— Sergio Kun Aguero (@aguerosergiokun) November 30, 2014
Aguero is unplayable right now, while Clichy is also benefitting from a regular run in the team. And then there is Lampard,
36, who seems to be revelling in the limelight. He has proved me wrong with classy contributions and if City are to overhaul Chelsea then they have to extend his loan from New York until May.
He would love one last hurrah on this stage and his experience, enthusiasm and canny eye for a killer pass and goal may well help thwart his former club.
With the gap just six points, Chelsea should be afraid, very afraid.
Matt Monaghan, Reporter, says NO
A door has been opened by Chelsea’s dour goalless draw against Sunderland, but Manchester City can only expect it to be
slammed shut.
One off-day should not sour the view that Jose Mourinho’s men are an unstoppable force. Six points separate the two leading contenders for the Premier League title, yet a much bigger gap has been apparent when reviewing the challengers’ displays.
Chelsea have scored three more goals than their rivals in the north and conceded two fewer goals. This record made all
the more remarkable when you consider they remain undefeated after trips to Liverpool, Manchester United, Everton and City.
The gap between them should be even larger, the 1-1 scoreline when the sides met at the Etihad Stadium not doing justice
to a game when the visitors excelled.
Chelsea have been calibrated to near perfection under Mourinho, a clear development coming from a promising first season back at Stamford Bridge. This is a trademark of the Portuguese, who has been crowned champion during his second seasons at Porto, Internazionale and Real Madrid.
Summer signing Cesc Fabregas and Nemanja Matic provide the platform in centre midfield, the magic provided by six-goal
Eden Hazard, re-energised Brazil maestro Oscar and selfless compatriot Willian.
Diego Costa, of course, has been the standout star.
A mighty 11 goals have come from 10 top-flight starts, leading to suggestions about an over-reliance on the Spain international.
But is this any different to the burden being carried by City’s Sergio Aguero? The Argentina international has 17 goals in all competitions, 12 ahead of his nearest team-mate.
For Chelsea, just five separate Costa from Hazard while reserve front man Didier Drogba is fresh from scoring his fourth goal back with the Blues.
Mourinho’s “little horses” from last season are now setting the pace of an elite thoroughbred. No-one can stop them crossing the Premier League-finishing post first.
What is your opinion? Leave your comments below or on Twitter using the hashtag #360debate.
