Nasty brawl proves Chelsea have upper hand in Premier League race
Chelsea’s win over Manchester City finished with two City players being sent off. The unpleasant altercation proves that the Blues are in pole position to win the Premier League title.
Chelsea once again reinforced their Premier League title credentials on Saturday afternoon. The Blues came from behind to defeat Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City 3-1. The game ended in acrimonious circumstances as both Sergio Aguero and Fernandinho were dismissed. However, the brawl was representative of what Antonio Conte’s men have done recently: get under the opposition’s skin.
The Blues started the contest poorly, allowing the hosts to assert themselves. They did manage to hold out for the majority of the first period, though, until Gary Cahill bizarrely diverted the ball into his own net in the 45th minute.
The second half saw a rejuvenated Chelsea team take the field. Diego Costa and Eden Hazard began to see more of the ball in dangerous positions and the visitors finally looked threatening.
A fantastic long-range pass from Cesc Fabregas allowed Costa to level the score on the hour mark. Then, a swift and direct counter-attack resulted in Willian putting Chelsea ahead. Eden Hazard confirmed the three points with another impressive counter in the 90th minute.
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With City stunned, their frustrations embodied themselves in Sergio Aguero, who lunged knee-high into David Luiz. The nature of the challenge forced Nathaniel Chalobah to get involved, as he charged over and pushed Aguero to the ground.
A melee then ensued with Fabregas being shoved towards the crowd by Fernandinho and numerous players and coaches getting stuck in.
While Chelsea players were standing their ground, the consensus was clear: Man City had lost the plot. Both Aguero and Fernandinho were shown red once things had calmed down, in the 96th and 97th minute.
This was a perfect metaphor for what Chelsea have done over the last two months. They have transformed from a struggling mid-table side to the Premier League’s undisputed leaders. They have emerged from the flanks and blind-sided the title favourites.
People are still questioning the Blues’ title credentials, but consecutive impressive wins over Tottenham Hotspur and Man City leave little to be debated. Conte has made this team his own and they are a force to be reckoned with.
Chelsea admittedly rode their luck on Saturday; a Kevin De Bruyne miss from two yards immediately springs to mind. However, they frustrated Guardiola’s side and punished them when the opportunity arose.
The Blues have come out of nowhere to sit at the top of English football, but this is no short-term scenario. Recent victories have shown that Chelsea are here to stay and their rivals are just starting to realise it. This brawl could be viewed as the moment when the Premier League woke up to the West Londoner’s threat.