Morning:
6°c
The Premier League season is barely a month old and it already appears that the nation's hopes for a wide open title race are in danger of disappearing. One glance at the League table will see the traditional heavyweights of Chelsea and Manchester United beginning to assert their authority at the top, leaving other potential challengers in their wake.
For all the talk of Liverpool and Arsenal, as well as a rejuvenated Manchester City and Tottenham, making it a battle between six clubs, it looks like it could be just another straight fight between the Blues in the south and Sir Alex Ferguson's Reds in the north.
Yesterday's results and performances certainly provided more evidence of this after seeing Manchester United steal all three points in familiar fashion against their City rivals, and Chelsea maintain their composure to beat neighbours Spurs with some ease.
Chelsea and United are used to going toe to toe with each other in the championship race in recent seasons, with one club usually having to respond just after the other has secured a great result elsewhere.
Liverpool may have benefited from Chelsea's uncertainty under Luiz Felipe Scolari to beat them to second place last term, but normal service appears to have been resumed under new coach Carlo Ancelotti.
Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp agrees the signs are ominous for the other teams even though we are only six games into the season.
After seeing his side come second best to Chelsea just eight days after falling short against Manchester United, he said: “The title will be decided between Chelsea and Manchester United for sure. It is definitely going to be won by one of them.”
The Blues have started their campaign with six straight wins, while United have bounced back from a shock defeat at Burnley to get maximum points from their last four games.
Liverpool and Arsenal are trailing Ancelotti's side by six and nine points respectively, while the optimism emanating from City and Spurs will no doubt have been diminished by yesterday's results.
Noticeably, as Chelsea's players walked off the pitch after beating Redknapp's side at Stamford Bridge, there was no wild celebration, just looks of steely determination. They knew what had happened a couple of hours earlier, Ancelotti had watched the drama unfold himself, and all were well aware of the significance of Michael Owen's late winner at Old Trafford.
Midfielder Michael Ballack, who scored Chelsea's second goal just three minutes after the visitors were denied a penalty when Robbie Keane was felled by Ricardo Carvalho, sees Manchester United as Chelsea's No1 rival — though he is reluctant to rule the others out.
He said: “It looks a little bit like a two-horse race but we don't underestimate anybody. Man City did well until now. Tottenham, Arsenal and Liverpool are all teams that can have a run in any time of the season. But United have a lot of good years behind them with the Champions League win and three title wins in the Premier League, which will give them a lot of confidence.
“That helps them in the tight games like you saw against Man City and they always come back, they always believe they can score in the last minute.”
Fortune also plays a big part and Chelsea certainly had their fair share of it against Spurs before finally taking control of proceedings.
After seeing Jose Bosingwa's fine effort hit the bar, the hosts were very much on the back foot and Jermain Defoe, Tom Huddlestone and Jermaine Jenas all came close to putting Redknapp's side in front.
But the visitors were then undone by some superb play by Didier Drogba, on his return from suspension. The striker sent in a cross from the right and Ashley Cole stooped low at the far post to head into the bottom corner.
Chelsea's luck continued straight after the break with Ledley King going off injured and referee Howard Webb ignoring Keane's strong penalty claim.
Spurs were more fragile at the back without their inspirational captain, who is expected to be out for a few weeks with a hamstring injury, and Ballack and Drogba capitalised to give Chelsea a flattering lead.
There was still time for Tottenham to lose Sebastien Bassong with concussion and for Drogba to sour the home fans' mood after he was stretchered off with a thigh injury, although Ancelotti hopes it was only cramp.
The Italian expects to have a more accurate diagnosis in the next few days and will be desperately hoping it is a minor problem.
Tottenham's good start to the season may have come to a halt with two straight defeats, but they know injuries haven't helped their cause.
Redknapp is now down to just one fit centre half in Vedran Corluka and is also clearly missing their most creative player in Luka Modric.
Reader views (16)
Having read the comments below - from both Chelski fans and Spurs fans - I am struck by the graceless arrogance of the Chelsea fans. I am sad to say this is in line with the culture of their club and its' owners.
- COYS Switz, switzerland, 22/09/2009 09:01
Report abuse
Joke of the weekend; Tottenham fans singing Chelsea haven't got any history. Apart from a short period in the 60's what have those gimps ever won?
Back to back titles in the last 5 years, a cupboard full of FA Cups, League Cups, European trophies and a place at the tope table of world football.
- Ray, Watford, UK, 21/09/2009 23:23
Report abuse
Well Shelfside I'm certainly not blind as the ref didn't see any contact either, so I must be stupid, mind you, at least I can spell, so not quite as stupid as you then?
- Kerry, Purley, 21/09/2009 16:42
Report abuse
Tottenham had a penalty shouts, Chelsea did as well - the game was won in the midfield - Spurs had Palacios, Jenas + Huddlestone - good players but not exactly renowned for their goals or attacking play - 1st half Spurs did try attacking but 2d half not alot going forward - so we can talk about penalty shouts etc but over 90 mins the more attack minded team won - its that simple.
- Melly, Cartagena, Colombia, 21/09/2009 16:17
Report abuse
Dear me! If the Corluka attempt on Ballack was a penalty, so was the blatant jump by Cole into Crouch with simply no attempt to play the ball. So, lete's sat 2 -2 on penalties, alright?
As for the game, Spurs did not get taught a lesson, as some rose-tinted bespectacled people think. What they got taught was that if you have three centre backs injured and then the remaining two get taken off, you are going to struggle; King's departure was the turning point. Simple. I'm not saying Chelsea would not have won but 3 - 0 was a travesty of a score.Did Drogba look like scoring with King there? Sadly, Corluka was at fault with two of the goals if not three and that at the end of the day was the difference.
- Captain Black Of The Mysterons, London, England, 21/09/2009 16:15
Report abuse
I am a Spurs fan, we are not good enough. Then again I would refer be not good enough than have to learn French to chant for my team and wear red shirts!
Oh! Drogba has entered the race for the golden globes...
What was so hard to see about Ashley Cole crashing into Crouch, no attempt to play the ball?
- Colin Stevens, USA, 21/09/2009 15:35
Report abuse
This is in response to Kerry. First of all I think Chelsea deserved teh points. But to claim that Carvalho didnt fould Keane is just stupidity, either you are blind or stupid - which is it?
- Shelfside85, Kent, 21/09/2009 15:30
Report abuse
I was not going to get involved with this (Hands up we lost)Anto, Lancs UK,If you want to talk about illegal challenges what about Cole barging in to Crouch with his back to the ball (clearly no attempt to play the ball)Some dodgy decisions were made.Still we lost to a better team second half.3 of the 4 top teams out of the way we can start building our points back up now.
COYS
- Jamie, essex, 21/09/2009 15:24
Report abuse
I reckon Chelski would have won anyway - but the penalty mistake by the ref was the moment the game changed.
- Coys Switz, switzerland, 21/09/2009 14:28
Report abuse
I don't think Carvalho actually touched Keane, i think he lost the ball, saw Cech was going to get it and went down. He probably would have missed anyway, he needs 25 chances to bag one goal. Chelsea hit the post twice, should have had a nailed on penalty themselves, scored 3 and had around 20 shots to the Spuds 4 or 5.
It was a footballing lesson for the upstarts. I don't think Chelsea got out of second gear, didn't need to.
- Kerry, Purley, 21/09/2009 14:23
Report abuse
I am an Arsenal fan, but how that was not a penalty and Ricardo was not sent off i do not know! Also, how did Drogba get away with his antics during the whole game until he limped off??? Even Terry was telling him to get up and even pulled him at one point!! How come no one is doing anything baout this guy the wy they hounded Eduardo??? If there was ever a bigger diver than Ronaldo then it is Drogba.....an absolute disgrace!!!!
- Newmy, Ipswich, 21/09/2009 13:57
Report abuse
Exactlyy Anto the Keane incident was a penalty but the Lampard free kick was also a blatant hand ball so evens - game was even for the first 60 mins but from around the time Ledley went off their heads dropped and Chelsea upped the pace a little, crisper passing etc and in the end thought it was relatively plain sailing from that point on - keep it up Ancelotti - this side are looking v good ......
- Melly, Cartagena, Colombia, 21/09/2009 13:52
Report abuse
Which decision was terrible?
Chelsea did not get the 'Rub' when Lampards free kick was stopped by a Totenham players hand which was raised above his head while he was part of the wall and standing in the penalty area, and clearly stoping Lampards goal bound Shot.
Maybe you are refering to Ballack being illegally challenged when he was about to header the ball towards the Totenham goal from 6 yards out.
- Anto, Lancs UK, 21/09/2009 13:13
Report abuse
For once, Keith Price, Luton England, I absolutely agree with you.
- Ted, London, 21/09/2009 13:11
Report abuse
Again some terrible decision making by one of the countries worst referees, he does it everytime he takes charge of a Spurs game. I can't understand why league managers outside of the top 4 continue to put up with biased refereeing. You talk about game changing moments and that penalty claim was it. How right was Robbie to say well i dived, book me. This can;t go on. Fair play to Chelsea who were teh better team after King went off. I wish someone would havea word with Drogba though, it is embarrssing how easy he goes down. Lets hope King and Bassong are fit again soon!
- Luke, Nottingham, England, 21/09/2009 13:06
Report abuse
A terrible penalty decision, though. Man United and Chelsea both seem to get the rub of refereeing decisions whenevr they play at home. Hughes and Rednapp were right to complain about this fact.
- Keith Price, Luton England, 21/09/2009 11:34
Report abuse
