Cesar Azpilicueta insists 'Chelsea MUST raise their level to mount serious title challenge
Cesar Azpilicueta has told Chelsea to step up in order to mount a serious title challenge against runaway Premier League leaders Manchester City.
The Blues battled back for a highly creditable 2-2 draw with Liverpool at Stamford Bridge on Sunday in an engrossing advert for England’s top-flight product.
Chelsea’s players delivered an important result in the absence of dropped striker Romelu Lukaku, but still slipped 10 points behind defending champions City.
But captain Azpilicueta admitted Chelsea’s grafting point against Liverpool still represented a better result for Pep Guardiola’s pacesetters.
Phil Jones chosen to play for Manchester United for the first time in 708 days in Wolves clash
Phil Jones will make his first Manchester United start for 708 days after he was named in his side’s starting line-up for their Premier League clash with Wolves on Monday night.
The England international last started a match in United’s 6-1 FA Cup win over Tranmere Rovers in January 2020 but was sidelined with a long-term knee injury that has ruled him out for nearly two years.
Jones has battled to overcome a knee injury, a time he has described as ‘the lowest of his life’ - but has since played in behind closed doors games as he looks to improve his fitness.
Wolves had more shots in the opening 45-minutes than any away side has had in the first half of a Premier League game at Old Trafford in the last six seasons (15).
36% - Of the 31 teams to have scored 10+ Premier League goals against Manchester United, Wolves have netted the highest share from outside the box (36% - 4/11). Delight.
79 touches
9 final third entries
8 duels won
7 ball recoveries
7 accurate long balls
6 tackles
4 crosses
2 shots
2 chances created
1 shot on target
1 goal
Four points off fourth-place Arsenal
