City hits the table
The race for the Premier League has a new protagonist. Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City left Stamford Bridge with a resounding victory (3-0) over Chelsea. Nico O’Reilly, Marc Guehi and Jeremy Doku scored the goals in a devastating second half.
This victory is not just three points. It is a clear message to the leader, Arsenal. City is only six points away, with one game less and with a direct meeting between the two just around the corner. The pressure now changes sides.
“We know we still have everything in our hands,” Doku said after the match.
And boy do they have it. The team’s streak is terrifying: three consecutive victories with authority, added to the victories against Arsenal (League Cup) and Liverpool (FA Cup). It seems that the champion has woken up just in time, as he did in the last two campaigns.
Guardiola, however, asks for calm and respect for the rival.
“They have been the best team… Come join us from minute one because the players will do their best,” said the Catalan coach.
The key to victory had a French name: Rayan Cherki. The midfielder was a nightmare for the blue defense, assisting on two of the three goals. A masterful performance that left Chelsea out of the fight for top positions.
Meanwhile, in London…
If there is hope in Manchester, despair reigns in Tottenham. The 1-0 defeat against Sunderland is another brutal blow in their fight not to be relegated. With Roberto De Zerbi making his debut on the bench, the Spurs offered a gray image without ideas.
The numbers are chilling:
- 16 league defeats this season.
- 14 games in a row without winning.
- Only 1 point out of the last 24 possible.
A deflected shot by Nordi Mukiele condemned them. The bad luck was there, but the team did not know how to react even with 11 minutes of stoppage time. To make matters worse, Cristian Romero was injured. The crisis is total.
With six rounds left, they are two points away from getting out of the hole. But with each passing week, the task seems more impossible. Their next rival is Brighton, a team that De Zerbi knows very well. They need a miracle.
In other news:
- Crystal Palace came back against Newcastle (2-1) with a late double from Jean-Philippe Mateta, who is resurgent after staying in January.
- Nottingham Forest drew 1-1 with Aston Villa and remains three points above Tottenham.
