Citys draw to Chelsea advantage The champions may well look back on dropping two points against Burnley as a decisive moment in the title race as the Blues remain on course for a title at the end of the season. His words and demeanour gave no hints as he railed passionately against the “campaign” that will dominate Monday’s headlines, but make no mistake – Jose Mourinho is a happy man. Despite an intense, at times controversial and frustrating afternoon at St Mary’s, Chelsea will go into 2015 as Premier League leaders. They, and Mourinho, have never failed to win the title from this position. Manchester City remain within striking distance, but the phrase ‘kicking themselves’ doesn’t quite seem to do their situation justice after Burnley remarkably came from two goals down to snatch only their 16th point of the season at the Etihad Stadium. Mourinho showed no reaction when informed by a journalist of the scoreline as he left his post-match press conference – he had entered the room in angry mode and wasn’t about to break character for anyone – but the Portuguese would have been entitled to punch the air with joy once out of sight. In a title race like this, draws can be almost as damaging as defeats. Chelsea have already visited the Etihad, Old Trafford and Anfield and at the halfway stage are still on course for 92 points, the highest total since Mourinho brought his first league crown to Stamford Bridge in 2004-05 and the second highest in Premier League history. Within that context, City entering the New Year a point behind them would have been highly impressive and more than a little ominous. As it is, Chelsea enjoy three points of breathing space and Mourinho has time to indulge his conspiracy theories. The idea that Anthony Taylor’s decision to book Cesc Fabregas was the result of his team being subjected to an unfair level of diving scrutiny in recent weeks is, of course, ridiculous, but it effectively deflects any criticism of a performance that fell slightly below Chelsea’s imperious best.
Posted on: Sun, 28 Dec 2014 21:34:13 +0000
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