Bridge Banter: Chelsea v Man City - prepare for the Clash of the Titans

3:27pm Friday 31st January 2014 in Sport By Tim Harrison

On paper it looks like a hopelessly unequal struggle, but its the kind of fixture that Jose Mourinho relishes.

Manchester City v Chelsea on Monday night could well give Manuel Pellegrinis free-scoring team the clear water they need to cruise to the Premier League title.

After all, City thrashed Spurs 5-1 at White Hart Lane in midweek, while the Blues could only manage a 0-0 draw against West Ham at Stamford Bridge.

Chelseas frustration at dropping two vital home points was given sharper focus by the statistics. No team has managed more shots 39 in a Premier League game in the past decade, and still failed to score.

Mourinho could not believe his eyes as the Irons repelled attack after attack on Wednesday night, grumbling that his side had fallen victim to 19th century football whatever that means.

But Sam Allardyces tactics worked. It wasnt pretty, but it was effective.

Now Chelsea have to regroup for the first part of an extraordinary double-header, with two visits to the Etihad stadium in the space of 12 days, in league and FA Cup.

The Blues are underdogs, bearing in mind Citys incredible home record, but Jose would do well to put himself through a few more uncomfortable viewings of the match tape from Wednesday night to study how Allardyce outwitted him.

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Chelsea v Man City - prepare for the Clash of the Titans