EPL title race heats up as Chelsea loses at United
Chelsea manager Antonio Conte and Diego Costa look dejected during an English Premier League match between Manchester United and Chelsea in Old Trafford Stadium, Britain on April 16, 2017. [Photo/Agencies] |
Chelsea might be starting to wobble. This loss came 15 days after a 2-1 home defeat to Crystal Palace, while Spurs have won seven straight league games — scoring 22 goals in the process.
Chelsea's only tough remaining game appears to be a trip to Everton on April 30, and it could hardly ask for four better fixtures to finish the season: Middlesbrough, West Bromwich Albion, Watford and Sunderland.
Still, the pressure is certainly on the leaders now.
"We have to think that there are six finals from now until the end," Conte said. "The league is open and we have a 50 percent (chance) to win the league."United was playing between two games against Anderlecht in the Europa League quarterfinals, with many pundits suggesting Mourinho's focus had switched to earning Champions League qualification through winning the European competition.
Dropping Ibrahimovic - United's top scorer this season with 28 goals - was another sign of that, but Mourinho insisted he wasn't prioritizing.
United moved back into fifth place, four points behind fourth-placed Manchester City with a game in hand. The Manchester rivals meet at City's Etihad Stadium on April 27.
Liverpool, which beat West Bromwich Albion 1-0 away in Sunday's other game, is six points clear of United in third place but has played two more matches.
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