Wednesday, December 14, 2011

Chelsea deny Cole taunts as title race hots up

Chelsea have strongly denied newspaper reports that Ashley Cole taunted Manchester City players in the tunnel following their clash at Stamford Bridge on Monday.

Cole was alleged to have chanted ‘Thursday night, Channel Five’ at the City players, a slight aimed at their participation in the Europa League following their failure to qualify for the Champions League knock-out stages.

However, Chelsea have since denied any incident took place, with a statement on the club’s website saying: ‘Contrary to reports, Ashley Cole did not say anything to the opposition in the tunnel after Monday's game. Ashley has huge respect for the players and staff at Manchester City, many of whom he knows personally and calls friends.'

The game was a thrilling one and Cole's jubilant move justified, with Chelsea coming from behind to win 2-1 and give their premier league odds a real shot in the arm.

They remain seven points behind Roberto Mancini’s men but they confidence gained from halting the big-spending juggernaut could prove invaluable.

City now for the first-time this season have to prove a point. They have steam-rollered everyone in sight so far, but defeats to Napoli in the Champions League and now to Chelsea represent a real test.

They now host in-form Arsenal in what could be one of the matches of the season to date – they could even begin the game in second place with rivals United playing earlier in the day.

It looks set to be a bumper day for those who Live Football Online or on TV at home, with three games in-a-row live in a taster for the annual bumper festive programme, which thanks to Sky TV means there is a match on everyday during the Christmas holidays.

Being top on the 25th doesn’t guarantee much (and it doesn’t carry the stigma of Christmas on the bottom of the league) but it would certainly be a psychological boost in a fascinating title race that looks like going right to the wire.

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