Since Chelsea’s destruction of Liverpool in the Champions League last week many pundits have been saying that the task of shipping three past the London side is impossible. However Bolton did it on Saturday and it’s got gaffer Guus Hiddink more than a little rattled.
The Wanderers put three past Chelsea shot stopper Petr Cech in 9 minutes at the weekend and the big Dutchman is worried that his defenders are starting to become complacent. Having only conceded 11 at home all season, shipping three in just 540 seconds must be worrying the team and without talisman John Terry at the back on Tuesday night, Alex and co will have to be watching Torres and friends very closely.
With the title race closer this year than possibly any other in the Premier League’s history (don’t we say that almost every other season now?) those 3 goals could end up being decisive. Manchester United currently lead the way a point ahead of Liverpool and four ahead of Chelsea with a game in hand over both.
However with all three still to play fourth-placed Arsenal, goal difference may in fact prove essential to lifting the much coveted prize. Had Chelsea not had to pick the ball out of their net three times in quick succession they would have had the same goal difference as their Champions League opponents Liverpool, as such they stand on plus 35, two ahead of United but three behind the Merseyside men.
The south London side normally have a rigid defence, with enforcer Terry backed up by the normally unflappable Cech however, they conceded twice in the last Champions League second leg, when they faced Juventus and Hiddink will be insisting on a more robust back line tomorrow night and for the remainder of the Premiership campaign if they are to lift silverware this season.
Do you think goal difference will play a role in deciding the Premier League title this season? Is Liverpool’s goal advantage their ‘+1’ over United?
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