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16 April 2024

Chelsea's Ancelotti insists title race is still wide open

Didier Drogba of Chelsea battling for the ball with Alexandre Song and Gael Clichy of Arsenal during the Barclays Premier League match in London. (GETTY IMAGES)

Published
By AFP

Carlo Ancelotti insists Chelsea's 2-0 win over Arsenal has not reduced the fight for the Premier League title to a two-horse race between the Blues and Manchester United.

Ancelotti's side provided beleaguered captain John Terry with a much-needed boost at the end of a troubled week by over-powering the Gunners at Stamford Bridge to return to the top of the Premier League.

Terry, who threw his shirt to Chelsea supporters at full-time before hugging Ancelotti, was clearly relieved to concentrate on playing after his alleged affair with the ex-girlfriend of England team-mate Wayne Bridge led to him being stripped of the international captaincy last week.

He produced a commanding performance which frustrated Arsenal's determined efforts to get back in the match after two goals from Didier Drogba – the first set up by Terry – rocked the Gunners. Terry and Drogba's heroics ensured Chelsea moved two points clear of the United at the top, while Arsenal are languishing nine points behind the leaders.

But Arsene Wenger's side have already clawed back an 11-point deficit this season after being thrashed by Chelsea in November and Ancelotti knows the north Londoners can't be completely discounted yet.

"For Arsenal it is very difficult to return to the top of the table but they have a possibility because they have a good team. It depends on the performances of United and Chelsea," Ancelotti said.

"I can't say if it is a two horse race. It is not time to say it is just United and Chelsea yet."

 

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