Manchester City must beat Chelsea to keep their title hopes alive

A crucial night for Manchester City

Two weeks ago, the prospect of facing Chelsea at the Etihad Stadium under their beleaguered manager André Villas-Boas would have hardly had Roberto Mancini quaking in his boots.

But since Villas-Boas was kicked through the Stamford Bridge revolving door things have taken a dramatic turn at both clubs.

City have relinquished their lead at the top of the league to Manchester United and the unthinkable has happened – Fernando Torres has found the net.

What usually happens to strikers who have been so hapless in front of goal is a real glut over the next few games, so expect the same on Wednesday night and City to lose their winning home league run that stretches back into last season.

If they do, that would leave United four points clear at the top – and with their very generous set of fixtures it’s hardly likely to change before the table-topping clash on 30 April.

And without wanting to tempt fate, a four-point lead for the Red Devils going into that fixture would mean a win would seal a remarkable 20th title – at the home of their neighbours.

Tottenham should be winning silverware

With drama following Harry Redknapp as closely as his shadow, is it preventing his side from clinching the success they deserve?

In the last 12 months alone, Redknapp has been found not guilty of tax evasion as well as being tipped to leave the London side for the England manager’s job or the Chelsea top position. Such off-field unrest surely has an effect on his players.

With only the 2008 League Cup to their name in the last five years, Tottenham are certainly underachieving and with international stars Jermain Defoe, Gareth Bale, Luka Modrić and Rafael van der Vaart in their squad, they should be challenging for silverware.

Instead, they needed an FA Cup fifth-round replay to defeat League One side Stevenage and were knocked out by Stoke after penalties in the Carling Cup third round.

In the Premier League, they have slipped up numerous times against lower-ranked clubs that they should be defeating if they want to challenge for the title.

With 10 games left in the domestic season, Tottenham are all but guaranteed a place in Europe and, if they continue to push with their talented players and stay focused on the pitch, no doubt they will be adding to their trophy cabinet soon.

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Read more on: André Villas-Boas, Chelsea, gareth bale, Harry Redknapp, jermain defoe, Manchester City, Premier League, Tottenham Hotspur.