Conte’s test of his medicine
Antonio Conte was given a test of his own medicine when an adamant and competitive Tottenham run riot at White Hart Lane to hand Chelsea their first defeat in 14 matches.
It was sweet revenge for Tottenham because it was Chelsea who ended Spurs’ undefeated run in the new season last year. It was also Chelsea which ended Totteham’s bid for the title last season.
Tottenham not only cut Chelsea’s lead at the top but have also given hope to other teams that Chelsea who before now had an air of invincibility can actually be thoroughly beaten. Now the league is competitive.
As a Man United fan, I am satisfied in the manner the festive season’s congested fixtures have been fulfilled during which clubs had to play three matches in seven days.
Man United have won all three and with it a six match winning streak which has taken them to 39 points just two points behind third and fifth-placed Tottenham and Arsenal in that order.
Of the top six teams only Tottenham and Man United managed to win all three games in the congested fixtures. The rest Man City, Liverpool and Arsenal dropped points. Watch out for the Red Devils.
This week the Premier League is on bye and it is the FA Cup in session. The first of an all Premier League encounter was played yesterday between West Ham and Man City. By now we all know how it ended.
There are 32 FA Cup matches this weekend spread from Friday up to Monday. Of the 32, only nine matches are live on SuperSport channels.
Today Man United open proceedings when they host Reading from 14:30 hours. On paper United are favourites but being a cup game, they have to be careful. Jose Mourinho will need to rest some players as Man United will be in action in the semi final of the League Cup on Tuesday January 10 against Hull City.
La Liga is back with the highlight being Barcelona’s trip away to Villareal on Sunday. Barcelona who are four points behind Real Madrid have played a game more than the Los Blancos who play against Granada today. Sure indeed Barcelona’s loss to Athletico Bilbao in the first leg of the Copa del Rey last 16 clash might have raised eyebrows, but it is Zinedine Zidane led team’s extended run of 38 games across all competitions achieved after beating Sevilla 3-0 on Wednesday that makes the feat achieved by Chelsea before the Spurs debacle to pale in comparison. n
