Roberto Mancini banks on Chelsea to win the Premier League
Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini has backed fellow Italian Carlo Ancelotti, the manager of Chelsea, to win the Premier League for the second consecutive season.
City recently handed Chelsea a 1–0 defeat, the Londoners' first of the season, and it was after that game that Mancini approached Ancelotti with his prediction for how the league would turn out at the end of the season.
"After the game against Chelsea I said to Carlo, 'I beat you, but you will win the Premier League so you are better off than me'," Mancini told The Mirror. "I still think Chelsea will win the title."
Mancini's comments come after Chelsea overcame Arsenal at Stamford Bridge on Sunday in a comfortable 2–0 victory.
It was Chelsea's fifth victory in their last six league encounters with Arsene Wenger's team, who seem unable to handle Chelsea's physical game.
The difference in stature between the teams is epitomized by Didier Drogba, Chelsea's commanding striker who has scored 13 goals in as many appearances against Arsenal.
"Chelsea are the strongest team in the Premier League. Technically, only Arsenal are on a par with them, but Chelsea have greater physical power. That is the only difference and what gives Chelsea the edge."
Top four good enough for City
Meanwhile, Mancini conceded that he can fail to win the Premier League in his first full season in charge without jeopardizing his position at City.
"The owners will be happy with third or fourth place this season because the target is the Champions League. But if the big clubs start to make life difficult for themselves, then who knows?"
City's victory over Newcastle United saw the club advance to second in the table with 14 points from seven games, four points behind Chelsea.
In order to stay in the top four, City's away form must improve, as the team have collected only four points in three games on the road this season.
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