Ex-Manchester United star Owen labels Chelsea ‘a well-oiled machine’

Former Liverpool and Manchester United striker Michael Owen has described Chelsea as “a well-oiled machine” following their 1-1 Premier League draw at home to Manchester United on Sunday.

The Blues were seen as favorites heading into the game, having suffered just one loss all season and conceded four goals. The Red Devils meanwhile were in terrible form with five losses from their last seven games which culminated in the sacking of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Michael Carrick taking over as caretaker manager.

The men from Manchester however took the lead in the 50th minute via Jadon Sancho, before Jorginho levelled things up from the penalty spot 19 minutes later after a clumsy foul by Aaron Wan-Bissaka on Thiago Silva in the penalty box.

Chelsea remain top of table though by one point, and Owen is impressed with the team, believing they are going to be a serious challenger for the title.

“You know Man City, Liverpool, of course, they can riot against anyone, but they [Chelsea] look like a well-oiled machine,” Owen said on Premier League Productions.

“Tuchel is just a phenomenal manager. I love listening to him, he is so informative, explains everything really well.

“Chelsea are there to stay, I think they are certainly going to be there. Come May, we are still going to be arguing who is going to win the league.”

This season’s quest for the title is seen as a three-horse race, with only two points separating Chelsea in first and Liverpool in third. Former Chelsea player and manager Glenn Hoddle agrees that it is truly a three-horse race and tips the West Londoners – who have had 17 different goalscorers in the league this season – to finish on top in the end.

“Without a doubt, it's three class horses that have got to the top of this table. City could easily win it, Liverpool are good enough to win it, I think Chelsea are consistent enough to win it,” Hoddle said.

“The thing with Chelsea, not many teams in history have 17 players that have scored for them, 17 different players have scored. Now if Lukaku does start scoring on top of that, you are going to have a chance [to win the Premier League title].”

Chelsea will next make a short trip across London to take on fourth-placed West Ham United on Thursday. Seven points separate the two teams, with the Hammers losing 2-1 to Manchester City at a snow-drenched Etihad Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

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Kunle is an avid writer with interest in topics on sports, politics and health. His articles have featured in Goal.com, Opera News and Vanguard News. He holds a Bachelors and Masters degree in International Relations and is an advocate for people living with Hydrocephalus and other neurological conditions.

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