Barclays English Premiership League…A two-horse race between Chelsea and Man U?

With 13or14 matches to go the Barclays English Premiership League title is looking more of a two-horse race between Chelsea and Manchester United. This follows Arsenal’s Sunday two nil defeat to Chelsea at the Stamford Bridge. This is a statement that would not be taken lightly by fans of Arsenal.

Two clinical and well taken goals by Chelsea striker, Didier Drogba, ensured that Chelsea, the Blues, claimed all the three maximum points. Until that defeat, Arsenal, the Gunners, looked more poised to challenge the first two teams: Chelsea and Manchester United.

John Terry, Chelsea captain

The Gunners’ defeat means that Arsenal are 8 points adrift of league leaders Chelsea and 6 points behind second position Manchester United. But soccer pundits have noted that it is too early to write off the Gunners from the premiership title.

Their point is that Arsenal is still capable of winning the title and that means that the 2010 English Premiership is far from being a contest between Manchester United, the Reds, and the Blues. Arsene Wenger has a wonderful team of young talented and skilful players who can defy all odds to win the premiership title.

Now on whether the English Premiership League is a race between Chelsea or not is an issue that has generated much debate not only in England but the whole world. Without doubt, Manchester United have demonstrated several times that they have what it takes when it comes to winning the premiership.

The fact must not glossed over that the Reds are the defending champions and would fight every tooth and nail to retain that title. Manchester United are placed second with just two points behind the Blues who have held on to the top position for a long time.

Though, Manchester United last year sold their ace player Christiano Ronaldo to Real Madrid, they have shown that they are still a major contender in winning the league title. Coached by the experienced Alex Ferguson, Man U are refusing to give up the title as they are bent on unseating Chelsea from the top.

Man U have so far not fared badly at all. Many were those who anticipated that the exit of Ronaldo will create problems for the team. But it must be pointed out that Man U without Ronaldo have played some good football which has catapulted them to the second position.

Wayne Rooney, Leo Ferdinand who has been elected as the England captain, Nanny, Sui Yu Park, Ryan Giggs, Patrice Evra etc., have all done well to keep the team going. And that explains why they are not giving up the ghost at all.

Chelsea with their new coach, Carlo Ancelotti, are a strong team and are keen on winning the league. Ancelotti’s boys have done so well by holding on to the top position even though at a point in time they looked like surrendering that enviable position.

Chelsea team has a lot of experienced players who normally bring this to bear in almost all their league matches. Talk about the likes of Michael Ballack, Didier Drogba, Ashley Cole, Nicholas Anelka, John George Terry, Ricardo Carvalho, Petr Czech etc. This is a more solid team that looks capable of winning the premiership race.

For now, the race is looking more like a contest between Man U and Chelsea. It is only time which will tell which team will win the title.

ARTICLE: ATO KEELSON & ISAAC OBENG, INTERN, PI