(Manchester United News)
Chelsea started 2015 badly, losing 5-3 to Tottenham on New Year’s Day, but have won eight and drawn three of their last 11 games, passing every test in their quest to become English champions for the fifth time in their history, and for the first time since 2009/10.
Jose Mourinho's side are top with 73 points, with a game in hand on both Arsenal, seven points adrift, and United, eight behind. “We need 11 points, it is as simple as that,” says the Portuguese boss. “Our situation is good, but we have big matches to play.”
The Blues’ fixture list does offer hope for optimists who feel there could still be a twist in the title race. They play Arsenal away after facing United, come up against a Leicester City side battling to stay up, and have a derby with Crystal Palace and Liverpool to contend with in May.
Chelsea’s recent record against United is good. The sides have played eight times in three seasons, including two FA Cup clashes and a League Cup tie in 2012/13, and United have won only once: a 3-2 thriller in October 2012, with the Blues down to nine men.
Earlier this season, in October at Old Trafford, Robin van Persie salvaged a late draw for United after Didier Drogba had put Chelsea ahead.
Recent meetings at Stamford Bridge have been goal heavy: Chelsea won 3-1 last season, 5-4 in the Capital One Cup the year before, and there was a 3-3 draw in February 2012. You have to go back to May 2007 to find a London 0-0 between the teams.
