Chelsea's latest slip up at home to Sunderland today has not only given the North East club a boost in their survival hopes, but ended the seemingly never ending juggernaut of a home record for José Mourinho. But what is perhaps more surprising is the way that Chelsea, seasoned winners on both at home and in Europe have reacted through out the season when the going has got tough. The way Chelsea players hunt down the referee for every bad decision led on pitch by John Terry and backed up post game by Mourinho shows a lack of class that José was once known for during his first spell in England.
Whether this is down to the lack of belief the Portuguese manager has placed on his team, publicly claiming that they cannot win the league. Which has led to each player fighting for every decision to go their way to prove him wrong? Or that Chelsea believe that decisions should go their way because 'The Special One' is watching and a sarcastic interview will follow if it goes the other way?
Shift 200 miles north up the country and the way Liverpool have conducted themselves this season has been perhaps Anti-Liverpool of previous years. Luis Suarez has made all his headlines with his goals and feet (despite the odd occasion where they seem to disappear from underneath him). With a manager placing belief back into players who may have never felt that the title could be heading their way.
Another plus for the England fan watching this title race unfold is seeing how an English spine is helping Liverpool sit at the top of the league in a World Cup year. Daniel Sturridge, Jordan Henderson, Raheem Sterling may have produced performances that will get them a trip to Brazil this summer along with captain Steven Gerrard. But Liverpool's faith in John Flanagan has also been a joy to observe over the year, with him on the fringes to break into the full side for the Euro 2016 campaign.
I didn't think I'd be saying a Liverpool side would be winning the league and especially not with any class this season (especially containing Luis Suarez). But the way the cards have fallen this campaign it shouldn't surprise anyone. What it also produces is a fascinating summer and 2014/15 season, with a few managers at top teams finding their feet when entering 2nd campaigns at their respective clubs (sacking pending). Liverpool as potential defending champions having the added distraction of European football on their minds as well as having to rebuild one their England players ego from missing a penalty in a World Cup knock out match- some things still don't change!
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| Mourinho's men losing the league without class |
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