Football
ESPN staff 9y

Catch us if you can - Chelsea players issue challenge to rivals

Chelsea players are united in thinking they are the team to catch at the top of the Premier League table this season, despite Jose Mourinho's side conceding a 94th-minute equaliser in the 1-1 draw at Old Trafford on Sunday.

Thibaut Courtois was left helpless as Robin van Persie earned Manchester United a point in the dying seconds, although Chelsea remain four points clear at the summit and six ahead of defending champions Manchester City.

The goalkeeper was unhappy at the manner in which Chelsea squandered two points last weekend, but believes proof of their good start will come when they face Liverpool on Nov. 8.

''Of course it was frustrating because we controlled the game," Courtois said of United's equaliser. "But the table says we are the team to catch, that's true. If you look at how the game went, it's normal that we were not happy with a point and that says a lot about the way we're playing this season. We're doing very well and will try to continue like that and keep on winning." 

Mourinho was left unhappy at referee Phil Dowd following the draw in Manchester, but Courtois is confident Chelsea will cement their impressive start at Liverpool on November 8.

"We've had two difficult away games in Manchester and we have to go to Liverpool in a couple of few weeks," Courtois added. "Hopefully we can get a good result there and then we have had a good start. The difficult games are not only against the big teams. It can be hard against the so-called smaller sides too."

Nemanja Matic was quick to echo his teammate's thoughts, but the midfielder is wary that Chelsea now carry a bigger burden as league leaders.

"They are all behind us, still, and that's good for our team, it gives us confidence. We have done well and deserve to be in this position," Matic said. "It's a good feeling but also a big responsibility because now everyone wants to win against us, they have extra motivation.

"Every point is very important for us, especially when you're playing against teams like Manchester United - they are strong and everyone knows they're a big club.

"Old Trafford is not an easy place to get points. In the end you never know what is going to decide the championship, but maybe this point will be crucial for us.

"Football is like this. Sometimes you can win in the last second, sometimes you lose some points. Of course we are not happy because we conceded a goal in the last moments but we won a point and that's still very important for us.

"We already knew Manchester City lost 2-1 and after this we have one more point than before so it's a six point difference between us and them, plus four ahead of Southampton."

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