WE’VE GOT FOR
PREMIER LEAGUE: RACE FOR THE TITLE
CESAR AZPILICUETA claims that Chelsea have shut up the chasing pack with their gutsy win against Manchester City.
Nearest rivals Tottenham, Liverpool and City were hoping for a serious wobble from the leaders after they lost 2-1 at home to struggling Crystal Palace on Saturday. But instead of another Chelsea choke against Pep Guardiola and his men on Wednesday, they proved their resolve with a 2-1 victory to complete the double over City this season. It maintained their seven-point lead at the top over Spurs and proved there’s steel running through the club, according to Spain international Azpilicueta. “I’m sure our rivals were waiting for us to drop that mental strength and drop points again,” said the defender, who set up Eden Hazard for the first of his two goals at Stamford Bridge.
Massive
“So we showed our character – the fans, the team, the staff, we worked really hard when maybe it wasn’t our best game. “But we were playing against a really tough team and we got the win that was massive for us after the defeat on Saturday. “We have been working really hard to be top and we have to be strong enough to keep the lead and to finish the season in this position. “We came back in a strong way and we know we have a game (at Bournemouth tomorrow) that is just as important. “We feel the pressure because we know it’s one-month-and-a-half to finish the season. “We are in the best position to be and we were disappointed to lose three points at home. “Against Crystal Palace we