Chelsea face pivotal week in quadruple quest
Article by Robert Wake
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Such are the demands of modern football; talk of a quadruple is fanciful to say the least. While it may not be realistic, it remains a possibility, and as such, players, supporters and the media will talk about it. The next eight days will be key in Chelsea’s pursuit of all four trophies they are contesting, as they face three home fixtures across the three domestic competitions.
On Saturday, The Blues face League One Bradford City in the FA Cup fourth round, in what should be the most straightforward of the tasks facing them this week. As Tottenham would testify however, rolling over committed, lower league opposition is not always easy. While Mourinho will understandably want to rest a few regulars, he will also want to complete the job at the first time of asking, without the need for a potentially tricky replay in West Yorkshire.
On Tuesday, Chelsea and Liverpool lock horns again in the second leg of their Capital One Cup Semi Final. The tie is perfectly poised at 1-1 following a tempestuous first leg at Anfield. Liverpool were the better team on the night, but may yet regret not taking a lead to Stamford Bridge. Such is the history between these two bitter rivals, predicting the outcome is difficult, but it seems certain to be another high octane encounter with a place at Wembley at stake for the victors.
Finally, Chelsea entertain Manchester City in a top of the table clash in the live Sky game on Saturday 29th January. Since Chelsea’s New Year’s Day mauling at White Hart Lane, they have responded with back to back victories over a Pardew-less Newcastle and a Bony-less Swansea to re-establish a five point cushion at the top. City were held to a draw by out of sorts Everton at Goodison Park, and then were undone by a very un-Arsenal like perform by The Gunners at The Etihad on Sunday.
Chelsea won the corresponding fixture last season with a last minute goal from Fernando Torres, while the two title rivals couldn’t be separated at The Etihad in September when Frank Lampard rescued a point for 10-man City after Andre Schurrle had given the visitors the lead.
City will be acutely aware that defeat at Stamford Bridge would once again leave them eight points behind Mourinho’s charges. Chelsea will be buoyed by the fact that they have emerged victorious in every home league fixture this season, and an eleventh straight league victory on home soil would open up a significant gap that may prove too great to close.
Subscribe to the e-Football Podcast for FREE!
Such are the demands of modern football; talk of a quadruple is fanciful to say the least. While it may not be realistic, it remains a possibility, and as such, players, supporters and the media will talk about it. The next eight days will be key in Chelsea’s pursuit of all four trophies they are contesting, as they face three home fixtures across the three domestic competitions.
On Saturday, The Blues face League One Bradford City in the FA Cup fourth round, in what should be the most straightforward of the tasks facing them this week. As Tottenham would testify however, rolling over committed, lower league opposition is not always easy. While Mourinho will understandably want to rest a few regulars, he will also want to complete the job at the first time of asking, without the need for a potentially tricky replay in West Yorkshire.
On Tuesday, Chelsea and Liverpool lock horns again in the second leg of their Capital One Cup Semi Final. The tie is perfectly poised at 1-1 following a tempestuous first leg at Anfield. Liverpool were the better team on the night, but may yet regret not taking a lead to Stamford Bridge. Such is the history between these two bitter rivals, predicting the outcome is difficult, but it seems certain to be another high octane encounter with a place at Wembley at stake for the victors.
Finally, Chelsea entertain Manchester City in a top of the table clash in the live Sky game on Saturday 29th January. Since Chelsea’s New Year’s Day mauling at White Hart Lane, they have responded with back to back victories over a Pardew-less Newcastle and a Bony-less Swansea to re-establish a five point cushion at the top. City were held to a draw by out of sorts Everton at Goodison Park, and then were undone by a very un-Arsenal like perform by The Gunners at The Etihad on Sunday.
Chelsea won the corresponding fixture last season with a last minute goal from Fernando Torres, while the two title rivals couldn’t be separated at The Etihad in September when Frank Lampard rescued a point for 10-man City after Andre Schurrle had given the visitors the lead.
City will be acutely aware that defeat at Stamford Bridge would once again leave them eight points behind Mourinho’s charges. Chelsea will be buoyed by the fact that they have emerged victorious in every home league fixture this season, and an eleventh straight league victory on home soil would open up a significant gap that may prove too great to close.
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