Last weekend’s showdown in the Premiership title race exceeded all expectations, with drama off and on the pitch. Chelsea’s win over Man Utd brings the sides level on points, ensuring the title race goes right down to the wire.
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Despite losing last weekend at Stamford Bridge, and allowing Chelsea to draw level on points, Manchester United’s destiny is still firmly in their own hands. The Red Devils’ goal difference is so superior that as long United win their remaining games, (or equal Chelsea’s results) they win the title. On paper their two remaining fixtures are very winnable games, starting at home to West Ham on Saturday lunchtime. The Hammers are marooned in mid-table with nothing to play for, illustrated by a record of one win from their last six games. The one gnawing doubt for Man Utd fans is the knack West Ham have shown for producing shock results against them.
The Super Irons have won the last three meetings of the clubs, including on the final day of last season, when Carlos Tevez scored to ensure survival from relegation. Tevez has of course switched clubs since then, but couldn’t help his new employers losing at Upton Park around Christmas. Probably the most famous clash of these clubs came on the final day of the 1995 season, when West Ham held Man Utd at Upton Park to a 1-1 draw that allowed Blackburn to pip them to the title by one point. Though 13 years have passed since, that games remains a painful memory for United fans who may have a few butterflies come Saturday. They may be eased by Fergie fielding his strongest available XI, unlike last weekend, while reaching the Champions League final will also have provided a huge boost.
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Chelsea’s gutsy win over Man Utd last weekend will amount to nothing if they cannot maintain their momentum at St.James’ Park on Monday. United have two chances to slip up, and Chelsea have the same number of opportunities to capitalise. Though Newcastle have nothing tangible to play for, Kevin Keegan will want to maintain recent positive momentum to the end of the season, as well as producing a good sign-off for the final home game of this campaign. The Geordies’ performance against Chelsea will also provide a useful benchmark for next season, when King Kev will be hoping to be challenging them much more closely. Though this game is a much harder challenge than Man Utd’s home fixture with West Ham, Avram Grant does have Frank Lampard back in the fold, and with this game played on Monday, Chelsea should benefit from the extra preparatory time.
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