Premier League: Chelsea lose ground at top as Pellegrini’s men hit five
AT STAMFORD BRIDGE
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR 1 vs MANCHESTER CITY 5
CHELSEA 0 vs WEST HAM UNITED 0
MANCHESTER City manager Manuel Pellegrini refused to label his side Premier League title favourites despite last night’s demolition at White Hart Lane which took them top of the table.
Sergio Aguero hit his 27th goal of the season and, once Danny Rose had been sent off for a foul on Edin Dzeko inside the box, City embarked on their now-customary goalscoring spree as Yaya Toure, Dzeko, Stevan Jovetic and Vincent Kompany all netted.
City’s eighth league win in succession moved them a point clear of Arsenal and three ahead of Chelsea, who failed to beat West Ham, but Pellegrini insists there is still plenty of work to be done to secure the crown.
“It’s too soon to be favourites for the title,” he said. “We have many more matches to play, but if we continue playing they way we did here we will have many more chances to win.”
Spurs suffered their first league defeat under Tim Sherwood, who insists he will not panic buy before tomorrow’s 11pm transfer deadline.
“You can’t let a result like this against the best team in the league effect your decision making,” said Sherwood. “Who are we going to find at this short notice? I don’t think any of their players are for sale.”
Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho, meanwhile, accused West Ham of resorting to “19th century football” after their goalless draw.
Hammers goalkeeper Adrian made several decisive saves, including a 97th-minute stop from substitute Frank Lampard, as the Blues failed to convert their dominance into goals.
Mourinho said: “Because they need points, to come here and not play, like they did – is it acceptable? Maybe, yes. I cannot be too critical because if I was in this position I don’t know if I would do the same; maybe.
“But also this is not [what] the Premier League [is about]. This is not the best league in the world. This is football from the 19th century.”
Allardyce, whose men climbed off the bottom of the table, laughed off Mourinho’s remarks, which the Portuguese shared with his opposite number. “He can’t take it, can he? He can’t take it because we’ve out-tacticked (sic) and outwitted him,” he said. “He can tell me all he wants; I don’t give a s****.”
Sunderland climbed out of the relegation zone with a 1-0 victory over 10-man Stoke, meanwhile Aston Villa enjoyed a thrilling 4-3 win over local rivals West Brom.