This result confirms it’s a three-horse race for title
THE most significant result yesterday was Chelsea’s late win against Leeds.
We all expect Liverpool and Manchester City to contend for the title, so the big question has been whether Chelsea can stick with them.
To accumulate points and stay in the mix during a difficult time is a real mark of championship contenders, which makes me thinks we might have a genuine three-horse race this season.
The advantage for Liverpool and City is they have been able to pick a settled midfield three, which is such an important area.
Liverpool have that blend of artistry and physicality with Thiago-FabinhoHenderson, while Pep Guardiola has been using Bernardo-Rodri-Gundogan with Kevin De Bruyne first reserve. Not bad!
In contrast, Chelsea have suffered by missing N’Golo Kante and Mateo Kovacic, who are key to the way
Thomas Tuchel plays. When those two return, the performances will improve — so to remain in the hunt to date is impressive.
We’ve rightly praised Liverpool, Manchester City and Chelsea for some incredible football this season but yesterday shows the best teams find different ways to win to be successful.
There was a neat symmetry in all of the Big Three winning narrowly, and by penalties too. It shows how close the competition is between them.
I’d still make City slight favourites, Liverpool next and Chelsea as outsiders. But in truth they are all so packed with quality, part of the fun over the coming months is not knowing what will happen. Chelsea face Liverpool on January 4 which already looks huge, and we don’t know if Mo Salah or Sadio Mane will have to miss the game because of African Cup of Nations call-ups.
I understand there will be debate about penalties with Chelsea getting two yesterday, City winning a controversial one and Liverpool getting one and not being penalised at the other end.
There is a feeling that big clubs get the close decisions but all I’d say is City, Liverpool and Chelsea play the right way — they try to attack and get the ball in and around the opposition penalty area. So it’s natural they are going to get the most penalties, whether they are nailed-on or more subjective.
Like buying lottery tickets, you can’t win a penalty without the ball being in the opposition penalty area.