Birmingham City may already have played a decisive role in the Premiership title race following their 2-2 draw with Manchester United but that won’t stop Steve Bruce’s men from further trying to influence matters at the top of the table when they take on leaders Chelsea on Saturday.
Birmingham, second from bottom, twice came from behind to earn a point against United — the club Bruce once captained.
That result, combined with champions Chelsea’s 1-0 win away to Manchester City, left Jose Mourinho’s men a massive 11 points clear at the top of the table come the halfway stage of the season.
But few gave Birmingham much of a chance against United and yet they ended United’s record of always winning in a match where England forward Wayne Rooney had scored.
Jamie Clapham, who scored his first Birmingham goal in 92 appearances for the Midlands club against United, said: ”It was a bonus taking a point off Manchester United. We will go to Chelsea, which is another difficult game, and if we show the same spirit and determination, we might get something there as well.”
Chelsea midfielder Joe Cole, who scored the 79th minute winner against Manchester City, said his side would return to Stamford Bridge buoyed by the knowledge they had come through as tough an examination of their resilience as any they are likely to face all term.
”We will probably look back at the City result at the end of the season and it will be one of the most important wins. They were probably the best team we have played, organisation-wise, all season.”
Meanwhile Old Trafford favourite Ruud van Nistelrooy urged Manchester United fans to be patient ahead of Saturday’s home match against Bolton Wanderers.
”The gap is there. But there is no time to dwell on it. There is another game waiting against Bolton on Saturday, which is a massive one for us.
”We must forget what has happened, come out and make sure we show everyone what we are made of,” the Dutch striker said.
Arsenal are a massive 20 points behind Chelsea ahead of their New Year’s Eve trip to Aston Villa.
But after Wednesday’s 4-0 thrashing of Portsmouth, Arsenal skipper Thierry Henry, who scored twice, insisted the future was bright for the Gunners.
”We are bringing through some outstanding youngsters and the character they showed to get us through to the League Cup semifinals at Doncaster gave us a real lift for the Christmas matches and I think we took that into the matches against Charlton and Portsmouth,” said the French star.
Meanwhile the present is looking good for Liverpool, third and now just four points behind United with two games in hand.
The European champions go in search of their 10th straight league win when West Brom come to Anfield.
Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard, on the scoresheet in the 3-1 derby victory over Everton in midweek, has now struck 14 times in 28 matches for the Reds.
”I have been very happy with my form this season since day one. The important thing is that I have remained injury free, touch wood, this season,” the England midfielder said.
”When I do that I am able to train hard and regularly and that is when I think I get the best out of myself.
”I feel I have performed with much better consistency this season than I was able to do last term.”
West Brom go into the game on the back of a 2-0 win against Tottenham but Bryan Robson’s men have not won away in the league all season.
And making their home a fortress again is top of third-bottom Portsmouth’s priorities as they welcome Fulham to Fratton Park.
”Of course it would have been superb to get something at Arsenal but the Fulham game is the key,” said Pompey midfielder Gary O’Neil.
The Cottagers are missing midfielder Papa Bouba Diop — out with an ankle injury — and Steed Malbranque, Claus Jensen and Moritz Volz are also sidelined.
Bottom of the table Sunderland, whose midweek fixture against Blackburn was one of three Premiership matches Wednesday postponed because of the cold weather, take on Everton in a match of huge importance to both teams.
Tottenham will look to bounce back against Newcastle, Charlton are at home to London rivals West Ham and Middlesbrough face Manchester City.
Elsewhere Wigan, the surprise package of the season, could find themselves in a Champions League spot if they beat Blackburn. – Sapa-AFP