On the evidence of Manchester City’s convincing 3-0 victory over West Brom last Monday, tomorrow’s big match against Chelsea will spark a bit of atmosphere at the Etihad Stadium.
After the opening round of matches, Manchester City’s performance contrasted starkly with those of their title rivals. For all of Jose Mourinho’s issues with the officiating, Chelsea was perhaps lucky to escape with a point against a creative yet robust Swansea side.
Manuel Pellegrini’s side, who was third favourite on the eve of the season after a relatively quiet summer, is now the bookies’ top choice to win the title, with Chelsea and Arsenal both slipping down a place.
However, in the last few days Chelsea seemed to be the team that would approach tomorrow’s tie like wounded lions. Some pundits were also of the opinion that Chelsea’s visit could prove the earliest title decider in Premier League history.
First choice goalkeeper, Thibaut Courtois will miss tomorrow’s trip after the Football Association rejected Chelsea’s appeal for wrongful dismissal early this week.
The Belgium goalkeeper was sent off after taking down Bafetimbi Gomis, with referee Michael Oliver awarding a spot-kick, which the Frenchman slotted home.
Courtois’ absence meant Asmir Begovic is in line for his full Chelsea debut at the Etihad Stadium.
A summer signing from Stoke as a replacement for Petr Cech, the Bosnia international came off the bench against Swansea following Courtois’ sending-off.
It was not Chelsea’s in all ramification as Jose Mourinho was visibly furious with the first-team doctor, Eva Carneiro in the final minutes of their 2-2 draw against Swansea City, as she ran onto the pitch to see to Eden Hazard following a foul in injury time.
According to the British press, she will no longer attend training sessions, games or enter the hotel – and she is not expected to be on the bench for tomorrow’s match against Manchester City.
Ahead of the game, Skipper Vincent Kompany had admitted that Manchester City has something to prove this season, following a disappointing 2014- 15 by their own standards.
Kompany went on to add that nobody would be looking at the table yet or counting points as it’s too early in the season – stating that City’s focus has to be on just taking each game as it comes and ensuring we get the results from those games that we want.
“We have something to prove – last season was below what we are used to. There are a lot of ‘favourites’ for the title and apparently, we’re not one of them so this was a great way to start. That’s something which gives us extra motivation – we came out with a point to prove.”
“We can’t go into the game thinking it’s about winning the league but it will matter so we need to put in a great performance. I don’t think we’ll be looking at points too much but we want to beat them. It will be a good game – it’s a big game so early on.”
It’s only one week into the new Premier League season, but there was already a feeling that something is not right at Chelsea.
The Blues had a poor pre-season, including defeats to New York Red Bulls and Arsenal in the Community Shield, as well as being taken to penalties by both PSG and Barcelona.
Chelsea cannot afford to have a repeat of its last performance as the club lacked rhythm and fluidity in its play against Swansea. In addition, the club was uncharacteristically slack at the back.
The good news for Chelsea fans and Mourinho is that there is still time to buy before the window shuts at midnight on 31st August. It could yet make all the difference. Agency report
