Source: Daily_Mail
Chelsea powerhouse Michael Essien tips Manchester City to be main title rivals
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.Chelsea are now four points clear ofCity at the top of the Barclays Premier League as Carlo Ancelotti'sside look to retain their title.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. Powerhouse: Michael Essien reckons Manchester City will provide Chelsea's biggest challengeBut 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.'We have to keep playing like we did against Arsenal and keep getting points,' said Essien.'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.'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.Crocked: Essien returns to England injured after th Africa Cup of Nations earlier this year'Maybe we have an advantage because we know whatit takes to win the league but every season is different. We have tokeep going.'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.'Essien is determined to repay Chelsea, who helped him overcome themost difficult period of his career over the last two seasons.Essien was sidelined for 11 months because of serious knee injuries but signed a new contract in the summer.'I've had two serious injuries and these are the kind that can end your career,' said Essien. 'I'm lucky enough to be back on the pitch and have put everything behind me.'Most players who have been out for so long with an injury don't get a new contract. '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.''You have to accept it. I'm just happy they made it possible for me to be back.'I want to repay the club with my performances and if we win something that will be good.'MeanwhileArsenal keeper Lukasz Fabianski insists the Gunners will still fightfor the title even though their finishing was poor against Chelsea.Butthe outcome could have been very different for Arsenal had MarouaneChamakh, Laurent Koscielny and Samir Nasri taken their chances.'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. Hopeful: Fabianski reckons Arsenal can still fight for the title'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.'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.'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.' 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