Chelsea striker Diego Costa produced a superb display in the Blues 3-1 win at title rivals Manchester City on Saturday
On Saturday two of the favourites for the Premier League title met and oh boy did it produce a spectacle.
Hosts Manchester City have been regarded as the favourites to win the title since the beginning of the campaign, but the resurgence of Chelsea has been incredible in recent games.
The game ended 3-1 to the visitors and for once, the game lived up to the hype.
In truth, the clash had absolutely everything goals, mistakes and at the end a few red cards thrown in for good measure.
Chelsea have now won their last eight Premier League games and on Saturday’s evidence have to be considered the real deal in the title race.
A great game to watch
As a neutral Saturday’s clash was fantastic to watch. Two teams looking to win the game and two very shrewd tacticians in the dugouts. Both are known for their tactical acumen and that came out in this game.
Chelsea’s Antonio Conte out-foxed his much-lauded counterpart Pep Guardiola by using the same system that the Blues have used to record seven straight wins.
Guardiola attempted to mirror Chelsea’s system and it looked to be working as the Blues went in at half-time 1-0. In the early stages of the second half came a moment that could prove pivotal in the title race.
The ball fell to City’s highly talented Belgian Kevin de Bruyne just a few yards out. With everybody expecting the net to bulge the former Blues star somehow managed to hit the bar. From that moment on Chelsea asserted a quiet dominance and their attacking players proved the difference.
The late dismissal of City star Sergio Aguero for a poor tackle on David Luiz displayed City’s frustrations, as did the sending-off of Brazilian midfielder Fernandinho for a clash with Cesc Fabregas. Neither incident should take anything away from the great spectacle.
Chelsea’s attacking players more ruthless
Diego Costa produced a perfect centre-forward display in the second half. The Spanish international scored the vital equaliser before setting Brazilian Willian for the second. Chelsea’s other main man Eden Hazard got in on the act late on to seal the victory.
This game showed the difference between the Chelsea and City at the moment. Chelsea’s attacking players were on form and City’s players not for the first time this season at home failed to deliver at the Etihad Stadium.
That lack of ruthless touch in front of goal could just be the difference come what May in the race for the Premier League title. Costa out-shot his rival Aguero in what was billed as a title shoot-out.
In truth, on the day Aguero could have scored. But missed his rare chances, while Costa scored and helped his team to victory. These games are decided by fine margins and the Blues edged it in the end.
Chelsea did not completely dominate the game and rode their luck at times. However, for much of the second half, the Blues showed an assuredness in their play. They did what every top team does in a game at their title-rivals they produced breath-taking counter-attacks and made them count.
But, even the best teams in the world cannot just show up at their rivals and win comfortable. However, they do find a way to win and Chelsea did just that.
Chelsea now favourites for the title
There is a long way to go in the title race this season. However, Chelsea have just sent out a huge early title warning by beating their rivals on home soil. The win means that the Blues are now the favourites to win the title at odds of 5/4.
City now have big problems as they have lost Sergio Aguero for potentially four games. Meanwhile Fernandinho is also likely to be out for three games following his red card. Both players are big influences on how City plays.
Chelsea’s other nearest rivals will be without Brazilian star Philippe Coutinho until the new year, so the Reds are also missing a key component of their team.
If Chelsea can keep everybody fit and away from suspension, I am looking at you Diego, then Antonio Conte’s side could well build themselves a nice lead at the top of the table over the festive period.
There is a long way to go and Chelsea are by no means perfect. However, in Conte, they have a shrewd boss and in Hazard and Costa, in particular, they have top players who look like they have found their best form. Those two things combined is terrible news for the rest of the Premier League.
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