North-south divide sees Mancs on top

ON this evidence, maybe Antonio Conte had a point.

The Chelsea boss insisted, on Tuesday, that the Manchester clubs are on a different level to the rest of the Premier League.

That the London big boys have to run for cover when their rivals in the north west flex their financial muscles.

Watching these two huff and puff, it is difficult to see City as anything but favourites for the final, too.

The squad depth, the firepower, the form, the confidence – Pep Guardiola’s side have it all.

With Arsenal or Chelsea, you do not know what kind of display they will turn in from one week to the next.

That used to be true solely of the Gunners. But Chelsea have now started to flatter to deceive, struggling against Norwich, filling their boots against Brighton, but treading water at times here.

On Tuesday night, City moved from third gear to fourth to see off Bristol City, just when it seemed as if

Lee Johnson’s men might take them to extra-time.

By contrast, Arsenal looked good up front (above, after their first goal), but their defence, at times, was all at sea. Shkodran Mustafi had a let-off when Eden Hazard had a great chance during the second half.

The Belgian found himself with a clear run on goal – only to lose his footing.

The trouble with Chelsea now is that they continue to rely on Hazard to create something out of nothing.

United have just signed Alexis Sanchez, City are closing in on £60million Athletic Bilbao defender Aymeric Laporte.

And, while Arsenal are trying to land £65m Pierreemerick Aubameyang, they live in fear that, if City want to get involved, it is all over.

That could yet to be the case on February 25 at Wembley.