#360view: City rue missed opportunity

Alam Khan - Reporter 11:23 01/02/2015
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  • Surging ahead: Chelsea retain their five-point lead over Man City in the Premier League.

    After a game which Chelsea nor Manchester City dared lose, inevitably, the outcome of the Premier League title race remains unresolved for now.

    – EPL round-up: Silva keeps City on Chelsea's heels

    No one really thought it would be determined by yesterday’s Stamford Bridge encounter, but a 1-1 draw against the champions will bring far more relief, and comfort, to Jose Mourinho’s men.

    Their lead at the top remains at five points, but it should have been two. No matter how much you look at the positives of an improved performance – given recent, ragged displays – this might turn out to be an opportunity lost for City.

    To restrict Chelsea to just three shots on target – their lowest tally in the league since the 2003-04 season – and none after they took the lead through Loic Remy in the 41st minute, highlighted their impressive effort.

    Aside from Bradford City in their shock FA Cup win last weekend, no team has been as dominant at the Bridge since Mourinho’s return as manager. To be aggressive, and pressing for all three points even when they were behind, City’s display indicated they won’t give up their title without a fight.

    The return of Yaya Toure, and Wilfried Bony, from the African Cup of Nations can’t come soon enough, though. Toure might be coveted by Internazionale, but he is irreplaceable to City, providing that strength and subtlety in midfield, and matchwinning ability they really need at the moment.

    Sergio Aguero is certainly capable of the latter, but has lacked sharpness, and perhaps even belief, since his return from injury. His early miss after being clean through was crucial and, with his goal drought now extending to four games, he will benefit vastly from Bony to ease the burden of being the main man.

    But there is no doubt Chelsea were there for the taking. They might have been weary after the midweek League Cup extra-time exploits against Liverpool, but they also had an air of vulnerability that will offer hope to the chasing clubs that they could still drop points.

    Chelsea didn’t have to take risks against City and so their mindset was somewhat reserved in comparison to what they have produced this season. As much as they missed the power and physicality of Costa up front, the greater loss was the flair of Cesc Fabregas.

    Apart from the odd glimpse of quality from Eden Hazard – as demonstrated when intelligently setting up Remy’s goal – Chelsea were more workhorses in midfield than magicians. 

    It was a side full of spirit rather than style. That was typified by their resolute defence.

    Keeper Thibaut Courtois might have erred in coming for the cross that led to David Silva’s equaliser, but he was generally well protected by the commanding Kurt Zouma and captain John Terry.

    Defiance is an important part of Chelsea’s character right now. The chants of ‘Diego, Diego’ reverberated around the Bridge as fans bemoaned the loss of 17-goal Costa to a three-match suspension. 

    A sense of injustice over refereeing decisions, disciplinary action from the Football Association and media criticism, has prompted a siege mentality within their ranks. There was clear evidence of that determination, that ‘us against the world’ mentality yesterday.  

    It’s a state of mind that is going to make them tough to knock off the top but there’s no doubt City would have drawn strength from their performance.

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