It was not so long ago many fans and pundits were describing this season’s Premier League title race a one horse race.
Seven days ago, Manchester City held a five point lead at the top of the table, and their season opening unbeaten streak stood at 14 games.
City had scored 48 goals during that spell, including a 6-1 mauling of defending champions Manchester United at Old Trafford.
The City juggernaut had three of the Premier League’s top 10 goal scorers in Sergio Aguero (11 league goals), Edin Dzeko (10) and Mario Balotelli (8). The Citizens also boast England’s number 1 goalkeeper, and an embarrassment of depth and resources in every department.
Just when it seemed City were set to pull away from the chasing pack, they suffered their first setback last Monday when Chelsea produced a 2-1 win over City at Stamford Bridge.
With Manchester United beating Wolverhampton Wanderers 4-1 earlier that weekend, the gap at the top of the table was cut to two points.
United followed that up with a 2-0 win at Queens Park Rangers that moved the Red Devils to the top of the Premier League table, even if only for a few hours.
City responded with a nervy 1-0 win over Arsenal to return to the top of the table, though their aura of invincibility is starting to fade.
United midfielder Michael Carrick sealed the 2-0 win over QPR with a second half goal, and was in bullish mood about his team’s title chances after the game.
“People have been writing us off but we are looking strong and we are happy with the way we are going. There is still a long way to go,” the England midfielder told The Sun newspaper. “It’s a long season. People say we’re not this and not that, but we are in there challenging.”
Carrick is certainly right to say many have criticized the Red Devils. Defensively, fans have worried about a young and unproven goalkeeper and a shaky back four without the injured Nemanja Vidic, as well as an aging Rio Ferdinand.
United are also accused of having thin midfield resources that feature an aging Ryan Giggs, and where Paul Scholes as not been replaced. To top it all off, Javier ‘Chicharito’ Hernandez is out for the second time this season with injury, leaving the attack to overly rely on Wayne Rooney…when he is not required to deputize in midfield.
Despite all their apparent flaws, United are within touching distance of City’s talent laden squad.
With a slate of games over Christmas that will see them face struggling Fulham, Wigan Athletic and Blackburn Rovers, we may even see United top the league come the turn of the year.
Regardless of where the title ends up in May, as of right now Carrick is correct, the race is on!
City had scored 48 goals during that spell, including a 6-1 mauling of defending champions Manchester United at Old Trafford.
The City juggernaut had three of the Premier League’s top 10 goal scorers in Sergio Aguero (11 league goals), Edin Dzeko (10) and Mario Balotelli (8). The Citizens also boast England’s number 1 goalkeeper, and an embarrassment of depth and resources in every department.
Just when it seemed City were set to pull away from the chasing pack, they suffered their first setback last Monday when Chelsea produced a 2-1 win over City at Stamford Bridge.
With Manchester United beating Wolverhampton Wanderers 4-1 earlier that weekend, the gap at the top of the table was cut to two points.
United followed that up with a 2-0 win at Queens Park Rangers that moved the Red Devils to the top of the Premier League table, even if only for a few hours.
City responded with a nervy 1-0 win over Arsenal to return to the top of the table, though their aura of invincibility is starting to fade.
United midfielder Michael Carrick sealed the 2-0 win over QPR with a second half goal, and was in bullish mood about his team’s title chances after the game.
“People have been writing us off but we are looking strong and we are happy with the way we are going. There is still a long way to go,” the England midfielder told The Sun newspaper. “It’s a long season. People say we’re not this and not that, but we are in there challenging.”
Carrick is certainly right to say many have criticized the Red Devils. Defensively, fans have worried about a young and unproven goalkeeper and a shaky back four without the injured Nemanja Vidic, as well as an aging Rio Ferdinand.
United are also accused of having thin midfield resources that feature an aging Ryan Giggs, and where Paul Scholes as not been replaced. To top it all off, Javier ‘Chicharito’ Hernandez is out for the second time this season with injury, leaving the attack to overly rely on Wayne Rooney…when he is not required to deputize in midfield.
Despite all their apparent flaws, United are within touching distance of City’s talent laden squad.
With a slate of games over Christmas that will see them face struggling Fulham, Wigan Athletic and Blackburn Rovers, we may even see United top the league come the turn of the year.
Regardless of where the title ends up in May, as of right now Carrick is correct, the race is on!
