But there is an
inescapable sense that the big game and decisive fixture in the
title run-in will be when Chelsea travel to Liverpool on May 2. If United beat Spurs, then Chelsea really cannot afford to drop any
points in their final three games, but the trip to Anfield poses a
nightmare scenario for Carlo Ancelotti’s team.
Make no mistake, despite all of the rivalry and hostility
created by all those Champions League clashes between Liverpool and
Chelsea, United will always be viewed as public enemy No 1 by any
Liverpool supporter.
But there is absolutely no chance whatsoever that Liverpool will
be handing out any favours to Chelsea at Anfield, even it means
that they ultimately play a pivotal role in handing United their
19th league title.
Sir Alex Ferguson knows this only too well and anybody who might
doubt Liverpool’s integrity and resolve will be seriously
mistaken.
In 1995, Liverpool almost handed the title to United by beating
Kenny Dalglish’s Blackburn on the final day of the season, but
United’s failure to win at West Ham proved their downfall.
Liverpool will be approaching the Chelsea game in exactly the
same manner. They will be 100 per cent professional and they would
expect the same from United.
The fact that they could help make it 19-18 to United in terms
of titles won will not come into it, even though it is the last
thing that Liverpool or their supporters will want to see.
That is why Chelsea face such a difficult game at Anfield.
Liverpool will already be hugely motivated because it is their last
home game of the season, and, with the world watching, it is not in
the club’s nature to do anything other than go for the win.
No matter who wins the title this season, though, it will be the
first time that an average team will have claimed the Premier
League crown.
Jose Mourinho changed the face of English football when he was
at Chelsea because his team raised the bar so high that you had to
be a great side to win the league during his time at Stamford
Bridge.
But neither United nor Chelsea can lay claim to being a great
side this season. If United win the title, it will be down to their
perseverance and ability to do what champions do in terms of never
giving up.
They also have the figure of Sir Alex in the dressing room,
warning players that they might not have a future at United and
hammering home the message that they never give up.
As for Chelsea, they will be guilty of the biggest slip-up in
the history of the Premier League if they fail to win the title
because they have had so many opportunities to put it beyond their
rivals’ reach and been unable to do it.
If they finish without the title this season, it could be the
end of Chelsea as we know them. It is such a crucial time for the
club.
Win the league, and Roman Abramovich might be energised by the
experience, throw more money at it and go for the big prizes all
over again. But with the team needing new blood, he might decide
that, although he has had a great time, the party is over.
Chelsea can at least look to Spurs possibly getting a result at
Old Trafford this weekend because Harry Redknapp’s team have shown
just what they are capable of in the past week.
Redknapp has changed the mentality at White Hart Lane and Spurs
are now a coming force. Sixth is no longer enough for them and
Harry will want to get to the point where even fourth is not
enough.
But to do that, Spurs have to show that beating the likes of
Arsenal and Chelsea can be followed up by winning at Old
Trafford.
In the past, Spurs could beat Chelsea and then lose to Hull.
That is not what great teams do, but they are beginning to realise
that at White Hart Lane.
