Football Focus: The final chapter and worse - Jakarta Post

Football Focus: The final chapter and worse

Just when I thought it was safe to get back on a plane, Chelsea and Manchester United conspired to make sure that I didn't.

I've been in London this past weekend, attending matches at Stamford Bridge and The Emirates Stadium, and witnessing two intriguing games that featured some of the best aspects of the Barclays Premier League.

Saturday's clash between Chelsea and Tottenham saw two highly controversial goals and vastly different tactical approaches, while Sunday's encounter between Arsenal and Manchester United saw many of the same stylistic differences, and one outstanding goal that upset the form books, and provided yet another twist in this engrossing season.

Two months ago, the likelihood of Chelsea closing the gap to Manchester United at the top of the table to 3 points would have been unthinkable — they were 5th, flailing, and not even looking as though they were worthy of a place in the top 4.

8 wins and a draw from 9 games later, and now, believe it or not, the title is in Chelsea's hands.

The thing is, it's also in Manchester United's, and if that doesn't create the perfect scenario for Sunday's meeting between the two at Old Trafford, I don't know what does.

It also creates the perfect excuse, if any were needed, to hang around in the UK for a few more days and take in what is, without question, the most important match of the season so far.

The facts of the matter are fairly simple; a win for Chelsea, and they will be top of the table, on goal difference, with a home game against Newcastle, and an away day at Everton to complete their season.

Both games are eminently winnable, with Carlo Ancelotti's men in fine fettle, oozing confidence and certainly (judging by the goals they scored on Saturday against Spurs) getting some good fortune when they need it the most.

Manchester United's run-in features a trip to Blackburn and a home date with Blackpool — two games against struggling sides that may still have relegation issues when their match days against the Red Devils come around.

Allow me to be self indulgent here and lift a paragraph from last week's article: "Being mischievous, and wanting the drama of what has already been an extraordinary season to be extended for as long as possible, I can't help but speculate on what might happen should Chelsea beat Spurs at The Bridge (and that looks likely since Tottenham have failed to win a league game there in more than 21 years) and Arsenal (playing perhaps with a deal less pressure, seeing as their title hopes have been extinguished) manage to get the better of Manchester United."

OK, I know it wasn't rocket science, and still isn't, but it does appear that the prayers of the neutrals have been answered, and this season's title race is set to go down to the wire.

Having said that, Chelsea must win on Sunday — a draw will almost certainly not be good enough in light of both sides' remaining fixtures.

Carlo Ancelotti, whose tenure at the club continues to be speculated upon, is going to have to get it just right if he's to do something no side has done this season, and win at The Theatre of Dreams.

One of the tactical conundrums he has yet to solve is whether to start Fernando Torres. It may be a dreadful thing to say about British football's most expensive striker, but of late (no, I'm not going to mince my words here) since he was signed, Chelsea have been playing, and have played, better without him.

It's unlikely that Wednesday's UEFA Champions League clash with Schalke 04 will have taken too much out of United, but it's still a match, and Chelsea will have had more time to focus on the Old Trafford clash, and gird their collective loins.

If it's almost safe to say that both Chelsea and Manchester United will win their final 2 games of the season — although has anything really been "safe to say" this campaign? — then the match on Sunday takes on a monumental significance.

Manchester United would take a draw, if it were offered, but then some would suggest that they tried to play for a draw against Arsenal, and that didn't quite work out.

One can only speculate on what's going through the minds of Sir Alex Ferguson and Carlo Ancelotti right now.

For Sir Alex, only a few days ago, the title was so close he could probably taste it. He now has to endure what promises to be a feisty 90 minutes at Old Trafford, the end product of which should tell us who will be crowned as champions of the Barclays Premier League 2011.

Catch Andrew Leci on Monday Night Verdict every Monday at 8pm on ESPN and send in your feedback to theverdict@espnstar.com