Chelsea powerhouse Michael Essien tips Manchester City to be main title rivals

04 October 2010 15:16
Chelsea midfielderMichael Essien has pinpointed Manchester City as the biggest threat totheir title hopes after the Blues defeated London rivals Arsenal 2-0 atStamford Bridge yesterday.[LNB]Chelsea are now four points clear ofCity at the top of the Barclays Premier League as Carlo Ancelotti'sside look to retain their title.[LNB]The Blues are also seven pointsclear of Arsenal after a goal in each half from Didier Drogba anddefender Alex secured another victory over Arsene Wenger's side.[LNB] Powerhouse: Michael Essien reckons Manchester City will provide Chelsea's biggest challenge[LNB]But Essien, who produced another superb display in midfield, fearsCity, who beat Chelsea 1-0 at Eastlands last week, could provide thebiggest threat to their chances of hanging on to their crown.[LNB]'We have to keep playing like we did against Arsenal and keep getting points,' said Essien.[LNB]'We led for much of last season but last season is gone. We have a new season now and it will be decided at the end.[LNB]'ManchesterCity are our closest challengers right now. You can see they made goodsignings and they will be up for it. We will see what happens. I don'tknow if they will have the stamina but they have the players to go outand do the job.[LNB]Crocked: Essien returns to England injured after th Africa Cup of Nations earlier this year[LNB]'Maybe we have an advantage because we know whatit takes to win the league but every season is different. We have tokeep going.[LNB]'The rest of the teams are there and will be fighting for it. It is up to us to get as many points as we can.'[LNB]Essien is determined to repay Chelsea, who helped him overcome themost difficult period of his career over the last two seasons.[LNB]Essien was sidelined for 11 months because of serious knee injuries but signed a new contract in the summer.[LNB]'I've had two serious injuries and these are the kind that can end your career,' said Essien. [LNB]'I'm lucky enough to be back on the pitch and have put everything behind me.[LNB]'Most players who have been out for so long with an injury don't get a new contract. [LNB]'Thisshows the club have great confidence in me. It was difficult watchingChelsea win the double last season and to also miss the World Cup butinjuries are part of the game.'[LNB]'You have to accept it. I'm just happy they made it possible for me to be back.[LNB]'I want to repay the club with my performances and if we win something that will be good.'[LNB]MeanwhileArsenal keeper Lukasz Fabianski insists the Gunners will still fightfor the title even though their finishing was poor against Chelsea.[LNB]Butthe outcome could have been very different for Arsenal had MarouaneChamakh, Laurent Koscielny and Samir Nasri taken their chances.[LNB]'It'sa disappointing result for us because when we look at the game and allthe situations we created I think we deserved at least one or two goalsbut we didn't score them,' said Fabianski.[LNB] Hopeful: Fabianski reckons Arsenal can still fight for the title[LNB]'We were really close to scoring. Petr Cech made one great, greatsave from Andrey Arshavin but the rest of the shots were just past thegoal.[LNB]'We created plenty of chances to score and we couldn't doit. We have to take the chances we create and we were punished for that.[LNB]'Butwe will be chasing that title, for sure. I am sure that we are notgoing to give up, hopefully we will come back stronger in the nextgame.'[LNB] Kevin Davies handed shock England call-up by Fabio Capello - and blunder keeper Robert Green returnsDrogba just phenomenal purr Chelsea as Arsenal rue missed opportunityFabianski backs Arsenal to maintain title push despite Chelsea defeat[LNB] [LNB]  

Source: Daily_Mail