Manchester City’s clash with Chelsea pits the two favourites for the EPL head-to-head

IT might only be September but Manchester City’s clash with Chelsea will have implications for both side’s Premier League title ambitions.

JOSE Mourinho got the better of Manuel Pellegrini last season. But the Chilean had the last laugh.

The Special One, on his return to the Premier League, stifled the life out of the eventual champions in both heavyweight clashes last term. But as history will tell us, Chelsea’s win over Liverpool had the inevitable consequence of helping City to the crown, as Pellegrini ended doubts about his ability to land major silverware.

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It might only be September, but Sunday night presents a match that could go a long way to deciding this year’s Premier League crown. Both sides appear the formidable favourites to joust for the title this year. But unlike 2013-2014, Mourinho’s men aren’t just there to spoil the fight. So far, they’ve been presenting a scintillating case.

It’s a heavyweight bout in every sense of the word. Here’s the judge’s scores so far as Pellegrini and Mourinho enter the ring.

It’s a massive battle at Etihad Stadium on the weekend.

FORM

JUDGE’S VERDICT SO FAR: Chelsea, by exactly five points.

It’s been a mixed bag from City; an early credential-setter against Liverpool thrown in with a dismal loss to Stoke and that exciting draw against Arsenal that City could have snatched, but in truth, could have also been punished further by Arsene Wenger’s side.

Chelsea have been imperious – although the added entertainment this term has also seen them trail to Burnley and Swansea, while copping three against Everton.

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE LESSONS

JUDGE’S VERDICT: level on points

Both sides need to pick themselves up after mid-week disappointment.

“We like to think of ourselves as big-game players, so we need to step up again on Sunday,” Joe Hart said. “It’s a big week for us. We’ve not won for a little while, so we need to step up. We need to win, it’s a close Premier League, they are a title rival, and we need to beat them.”

Manchester City toiled manfully at Bayern Munich, with a lot to thank Joe Hart for as the Bundesliga giants sent wave after wave forward. Yaya Toure’s ponderous work in midfield is a cause for concern, although Fernandinho put in an exhaustive shift to cover him.

It was a waste of points at home against Schalke.

Diego Costa holds the key to Chelsea’s season, providing that world class outlet up front with his predatory instinct and movement off the ball. His hamstrings don’t allow him, says Mourinho, to back up mid-week and 36-year-old Didier Drogba looks more likely as a pinch hitter off the bench. Things came a bit too easy for Chelsea in the first-half with Schalke sitting back; the drop in intensity in the second will be inexcusable as far as Mourinho is concerned.

THE MANAGERS

JUDGE’S VERDICT: Mourinho, on points.

Pellegrini is supposed to be the mild mannered, diplomatic version of the EPL’s elite managers. Yet there he was up in the stands in Munich serving a UEFA suspension; he was cranky with the referee after the 2-2 draw with Arsenal, and there’s no one who quite gets under his skin like Mourinho.

“It’s a very rich little horse,” he bit back last year after Mourinho’s cynical quip about Chelsea’s status in the title race as a “little horse”. “They [Chelsea] are the team that’s spent more money in the last 10 years. It’s the team that has spent more money this year, and it’s the team that spent most money in the transfer window.”

In big games last year Mourinho was the mastermind, widely viewed to have out-managed Pellegrini in the side’s two outings. But with a squad that he didn’t believe had the talent necessary to contend at the top level (thus his off-season spending spree) he sucked the life out of opponents who boasted more attacking riches.

Until Thursday’s slip-up against Schalke, Chelsea have been a treat to watch this term. It will be fascinating to see whether Mourinho takes it to City - which will set up a ding dong battle - or defers to his pragmatic best and resolves to leaving Etihad Stadium with at least a point.

ATTACK

JUDGE’S VERDICT: Chelsea

Manchester City have shown glimpses without consistency. David Silva continues to be integral, while Sergio Aguero showed in one swoop against Arsenal why his match winning ability is so important to their premiership defence.

Meanwhile, Mourinho has provided a license to thrill so far this year, not just via the acquisition of Costa. Branislav Ivanovic has been so high up the pitch you might think he was an attacking player if you knew no better; Cesc Fabregas, until the Schalke game, has been a class above; Eden Hazard is getting back to his best, while Ramires has added some starch when he’s been involved.

Sergio Aguero.

DEFENCE

JUDGE’S VERDICT: Manchester City.

There’s no doubt Chelsea have been more open this season so Nemanja Matic has a big role to play in the midfield battle, while Mourinho will expect plenty of his attacking trio in a defensive role.

Martin Demichelis looks much more settled and City’s back-four, with Bacary Sagna now at right-back is arguably stronger than last term. They’ve only conceded four goals thus far.

OVERALL: too close to call. Early rounds to Chelsea, but Sunday is an important verdict in the 38-round battle.

Originally published as Manchester City’s clash with Chelsea pits the two favourites for the EPL head-to-head