By Daniel Phan
With the Premier League season's conclusion nearing, Goal.com UK will be running a weekly round-up and review of one of the most tightly contested Premiership races of recent memory.
Presently, two points separates the first and bottom sides, Chelsea and Manchester United respectively, with Arsenal breathing down their necks, one point behind the Red Devils and a further three behind the league leaders.
1. Chelsea - 74 points
Games Played: 33
Goal Difference: 54
Chelsea find themselves atop the Premier League standings for the first time in weeks following their commanding win in the weekend's top-of-the-table clash with Manchester United - the win undoubtedly raising their hopes of clinching silverware in Carlo Ancelotti's maiden season in charge. Joe Cole's claims for a new and improved deal at Chelsea will be helped after the midfielder opened the scoring with an audacious backheel. Didier Drogba doubled the lead shortly after coming on from the bench, albeit from an offside position, to clinch the points with United replying late-on through a close-range goal from Italian youngster Federico Macheda.
Domestic glory seemed somewhat insurmountable for Carlo Ancelotti's side following their Champions League exit, which was preceded by a 4-2 humbling at Stamford Bridge to Manchester City. However, since then, The Blues have managed to claw their way back into serious title contention with confidence-boosting wins over Portsmouth, Aston Villa and Manchester United, and have consequently put themselves in the box seat for their first Premier League crown since Jose Mourinho was in charge, back in 2006
While French winger Florent Malouda has been winning all the plaudits thanks to his sumblime showings of late, it's his English team-mate Joe Cole who potentially holds the key to steering the Blues to domestic glory. The Englishman has made no secret of his desire to ink a new deal at the Bridge and will surely be spurred on by such motivations as he looks to persuade the club in keeping him in their ranks.
TITLE TALK
Petr Cech: “We are now in a position where our destiny is in our hands and it is up to us to cope with it”.
REMAINING FIXTURES
Bolton (H) April 13
Tottenham (A) April 17
Stoke (H) April 25
Liverpool (A) May 5
Wigan (H) May 9
INJURIES
Michael Essien, Ashley Cole, Branislav Ivanovic, and Ricardo Carvalho are all expected back to fitness later in the month, whilst Jose Bosingwa won't see any action until next season, which means the Portuguese misses out on representing his nation at the World Cup in South Africa.
Didier Drogba, it has been revealed by Carlo Ancelotti, has been carrying a a hernia problem for several months, but the Italian has insisted that the injury will be tended to upon the season's conclusion.
2. Manchester United - 72 points
Games Played: 33
Goal Difference: +50
Manchester United now trail Chelsea in the league table for the first time in weeks following their 2-1 defeat – under somewhat controversial circumstances – at the hands of their arch title-rivals at Old Trafford over the weekend. The defeat leaves the Mancunians two points behind the Blues, with five league fixtures remaining, however, it would be silly to write off Sir Alex Ferguson's men, yet.
Dimitar Berbatov was handed the goal-scoring responsibilities following Wayne Rooney's untimely injury sustained in United's Champions League first leg loss at Bayern Munich, but the Bulgarian was unable to deliver when it was needed most and now has just five games (not including Bayern Munich's visit to Old Trafford midweek) to prove his £30.5 million transfer fee to the Old Trafford naysayers.
As Sir Alex Ferguson's men regroup ahead of a potentially tricky away test at Blackburn this weekend, one must wonder how telling the midweek injury to talismanic striker Wayne Rooney sustained in the Champions League quarter-finals against Bayern Munch will prove in the title race.
Nani has finally lived up to his expectations this season with blistering displays down the flank for United, and it's no wonder he he was recently presented with a new contract which should see him remain at Old Trafford until 2014. Largely expected to fill compatriot Cristiano Ronaldo's boots when the Real Madrid-bound superstar left Old Trafford, Nani initially failed to win over the fans but his recent displays suggest he figure in Fergie's plans for years to come.
TITLE TALK
Sir Alex Ferguson: "Chelsea are favourites now, no question - five games left and two points ahead and four goals on goal difference ahead of us. They're in the driving seat, no doubt about that".
REMAINING FIXTURES
Blackburn (A) April 11
Manchester City (A) April 17
Tottenham (H) April 24
Sunderland (A) May 1
Stoke (H) May 9
INJURIES
The most notable injury setback in the Manchester United camp is the ankle injury to prolific goalscorer Wayne Rooney. While the Englishman didn't suffer a substantial injury to his ankle as initially feared, the 'minor ligament damage' is enough to keep him out of action for a couple of games where his influence would be much welcomed by his gaffer and the Old Trafford faithful alike. Michael Owen is another casualty on the injury list, out for the season, having torn his hamstring in the League Cup final against Aston Villa.
3. Arsenal - 71 points
Games Played: 33
Goal Difference: 41
Despite the incredulity surrounding Arsenal's title tilt, the Gunners have proved worthy Premier League contenders following their 1-0 against Wolverhampton Wolves at the Emirates. The Londoners have Nicklas Bendtner to thank after the Dane's last gasp winner against Wolves kept Arsene Wenger's side's title hopes alive.
The game, and Arsenal's title hopes, appeared over as the Gunners failed to penetrate the seemingly stubborn Wolves defence, but the No.52 popped up in the dying seconds to have the final say in what looked to be another draw for Arsene Wenger's men.
Despite their luckless run with injuries to key personnel, Arsenal possess arguably the easiest league run-in, in contrast to their title rivals. However, their involvement in the Champions League could, coupled with a somewhat extensive injury list, could be their undoing and see the Gunners finish another season without silverware despite much promise.
Owing to Cesc Fabregas' untimely injury, the burden now rests firmly on Frenchman Samir Nasri's shoulders. Having proved his aptitude and creative nous in the Spaniard's place, the former Marseille star is set for proably the most enduring month of his career as he is also expected to carry the midfield responsibilities to the Nou Camp for the Champions League second leg against Barcelona – a potentially taxing game for the Gunners.
TITLE TALK
Arsene Wenger: “The win keeps us in the title race, yes. With three points it's [the title] feasible because we have a difficult programme but Chelsea and Manchester United have a difficult programme as well”.
REMAINING FIXTURES
Tottenham Hotspur (A) April 14
Wigan Athletic (A) April 18
Manchester City (H) April 24
Blackburn (A) May 1
Fulham (H) May 9
INJURIES
Influential skipper Cesc Fabregas heads the injury list, and he's accompanied by the dynamic Andrei Arshavin, defensive lynchpin William Gallas, young midfielder Aaron Ramsey and Arsenal's arguably most reliable forward - Robin van Persie who could return for the last couple of outings, with his presence largely expected to reinforce the Gunners' attacking guile.
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