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Mourinho returns to the fray as Man City face tough Chelsea test
LONDON, Nov 22, 2019 (BSS/AFP) – Jose Mourinho will inevitably be the
centre of attention as he takes charge of Tottenham for the first time this
weekend while Manchester City look to get their Premier League title
challenge back on track against Chelsea.
The former Chelsea and Manchester United manager has been charged with
rescuing Spurs’ season after this week’s sacking of Mauricio Pochettino, with
the club desperate to claw their way back into the top four.
At the top of the table, runaway leaders Liverpool have a winnable-looking
fixture away to Crystal Palace but the chasing pack cannot afford to allow
the gap to widen further.
City, licking their wounds after their 3-1 defeat by Liverpool earlier this
month, host Frank Lampard’s Chelsea, who are one point above them in the
table, eight points behind Jurgen Klopp’s side.
Leicester, in second place, ahead of Chelsea on goal difference, travel to
England’s south coast to take on Brighton.
AFP Sport picks out some of the talking points ahead of the weekend’s
matches:
The Mourinho factor
Mourinho’s first match in charge of Tottenham will be away to West Ham at
the London Stadium on Saturday but he will not have the luxury of a honeymoon
period.
The Portuguese boss has a number of issues to sort out, including
addressing the woeful away form — Spurs have not won on the road in the
Premier League since January.
Last season’s Champions League finalists have had a shocking start to the
season, languishing in 14th place in the Premier League after just three wins
in their opening 12 games.
With their new stadium to pay for, Tottenham are reliant on Champions
League revenue but the outlook is not bright.
No team with as low a tally as Spurs have after 12 games — 14 points —
has ever gone on to record a top-four finish.
Mourinho, often labelled a cheque-book manager, has made the right noises
so far, saying at his first press conference he will not demand millions to
spend in the transfer market.
“I don’t need players, I am so happy with the players I have, I just need
time to understand them better, to know everything about them,” he said.
“My gift is this squad, the squad is very, very good.”
Liverpool’s mental strength
Over their past 38 league games, Liverpool have tallied 101 points and lost
just once, overcoming champions Manchester City in their most recent outing.
Manager Klopp last season labelled his players “mentality monsters” and
captain Jordan Henderson says that is a crucial factor in their success.
“Our mentality is just as important as the technical ability of the team,”
Henderson told the club’s website.
“I think everybody sees how talented the squad is, how many good players
we’ve got in the team, but mentality is huge in football.”
Lampard returns
Lampard, who spent a season playing for Manchester City after leaving
Chelsea, takes his young side to the Etihad for his first visit as a manager.
Pep Guardiola’s side host Chelsea in the unusual position of being fourth
in the table, a point and place below the visitors, who have had six
successive league wins.
Chelsea will also be eager to gain revenge for their 6-0 mauling by City
last season — their biggest-ever Premier League defeat.
Leicester riding high
Former Leicester and Tottenham forward Gary Lineker believes Brendan
Rodgers’ side are better than the team that lifted the Premier League title
in 2016.
The club have already played all the members of the “Big Six” apart from
Manchester City and sit in second spot in the Premier League with a winnable
set of matches to come.
Academy graduate Harvey Barnes, who has played in 11 of Leicester’s 12
Premier League fixtures, said confidence was key.
“It’s a great place to be at the minute,” he told the club’s website. “You
can see the buzz around the club and as a player, being involved in it is
great.
“We’re going into most games at the minute thinking we’re going to win.
It’s a great feeling to be as confident as we are as a team and as
individuals as well.”
Fixtures (1500 GMT unless stated)
Saturday
West Ham v Tottenham (1230), Bournemouth v Wolves, Arsenal v Southampton,
Brighton v Leicester, Crystal Palace v Liverpool, Everton v Norwich, Watford
v Burnley, Manchester City v Chelsea (1730)
Sunday
Sheffield United v Manchester United (1630)
Monday
Aston Villa v Newcastle (2000)
BSS/AFP/GMR/0855 hrs