Premier League Title Race: Chelsea, Arsenal, Man Utd and Man City take it to the wire

IT IS the most famous piece of commentary in the history of football broadcasting: "They think it's all over..."

Premier League ManagersGETTY.AFP

The contest for the Champions League spots is hotting up

It's just as well Kenneth Wolstenholme spoke those words about a World Cup Final and not the Premier League, where it seems it is never over.

Not even when, as happened three years ago, a season enters injury-time on the final day. When the final whistle blew in their last game, Manchester United were champions. Perhaps they thought it was over. It wasn't.

In the space of two minutes, Edin Dzeko and Sergio Aguero scored for Manchester City. The title was theirs.

Last season, Sunderland were bottom of the league and six points from safety with five matches remaining. All over? Far from it.

It was the cue for a remarkable recovery. Sunderland stayed up with a match to go.

So while there has been a rush to anoint Chelsea champions, nothing is certain. They have a six-point lead and a game in hand. They are in a commanding position but the only trophy they have won so far is the Capital One Cup.

City came from eight points behind United to win the title in 2012. They were nine behind Chelsea last season and lifted the trophy.

Mourinho: title race not over [AMBIENT]

They have showed time and again that it is dangerous to write them off. And while Louis van Gaal's United seemed to cement their grip on fourth place with last Sunday's win at Anfield, the reality is that seven wins from eight games would almost certainly send Liverpool, Southampton or Tottenham into the Champions League. It is difficult - it isn't impossible because the run-in has endless permutations and reasons to believe anything can happen.

Take Chelsea - true, Jose Mourinho has only lost one league game at Stamford Bridge and Chelsea have been beaten just twice in the top flight this season.

But they have won only six of their last 13 games in all competitions. Home fixtures against United and Liverpool and a trip to Arsenal offer the promise of more damaging draws.

United's three season-defining games start with the Manchester derby in two weeks. They could leapfrog City and end their title dream or suffer a fifth successive loss to their neighbours. United also visit Chelsea and the home clash with Arsenal could be a Champions League shootout.

Arsene Wenger's resurgent Gunners boast the best form and may be favourites to finish second.

Their home game with Liverpool on Saturday is one of many that seem too big to be called merely

'six-pointers' - like Southampton against Tottenham and City versus Saints on the final day. It is why it isn't all over. It's only just beginning.

John TerryGETTY

John Terry has signed a new one-year deal with Chelsea

CHELSEA

Not in the form they were before Christmas, Chelsea have a strange habit of losing leads and only Eden Hazard among their attacking talents is really in form. But five of their final nine games are against teams in the lower half of the table and five are at home, so the odds are stacked in their favour. While they were caught by the chasing pack in last season's title race, it would be the biggest collapse of Jose Mourinho's career if it happened again.

Key man: John Terry - Leadership is vital now.

Verdict: Surely Mourinho's men won't mess it up.

MANCHESTER CITY

The specialists in end-of-season resurgence are not in the best shape, having lost four of their last six games. And while key players like Vincent Kompany, Yaya Toure or Sergio Aguero are under-performing, City could contest the title with Chelsea or be overtaken by Arsenal, Manchester United and even Liverpool. But Manuel Pellegrini is fighting to keep his job and the Manchester derby two weeks today could have huge consequences, for himself, his players and the league.

Key man: Sergio Aguero - Must end his goal drought.

Verdict: History won't repeat itself.

Francis CoquelinGETTY

Francis Coquelin has been a clear player for Arsenal since returning from loan with Charlton

ARSENAL

No one is playing better. Arsenal have reeled off six straight victories and have won 21 of their last 26. They have Olivier Giroud and Santi Cazorla at the peak of their powers and the resolve to hold on in tight games. Yet if they are to win the league for the first time in 11 years, they will have to end dreadful runs in the league against Arsenal and Manchester United. Despite also playing Liverpool, they may have the best run-in of the contenders.

Key man: Francis Coquelin - Crucial in stopping top opponents.

Verdict: In top gear at the right time

MANCHESTER UNITED

They have produced their best performances under Louis van Gaal in their last two games, against Tottenham and Liverpool, and have shown they can win without Robin van Persie and Angel Di Maria. They have lost only twice in 20 games and have the pivotal Michael Carrick (right), whose 14 starts have produced 36 points, back in the side. But they face an awkward April and need to negotiate the Arsenal game beforeachieving their targets.

Key man: Michael Carrick - Classy passer makes the team tick.

Verdict: On course for top four.

Raheem SterlingGETTY

Raheem Sterling has shown again this season why he's one of England's top young talents

LIVERPOOL

Liverpool had the momentum, the confidence and the sense everything was going their way. They had surged from 12th to the brink of the top four only to lose to United last Sunday. Now they have to galvanise themselves again. It would help if Brendan Rodgers stopped playing Raheem Sterling as a wing-back and if Daniel Sturridge returned to his potent best. Tough away games, particularly at the Emirates Stadium and Stamford Bridge, represent the biggest obstacles in front of them.

Key man: Raheem Sterling - Has the talent to make a difference.

Verdict: Nearly men again?

SOUTHAMPTON

Have the league's best defence but have lost injured keeper Fraser Forster. The goals have dried up, with just five in eight games, and they really are outsiders for the top four.

Key man: Kelvin Davis - Veteran deputy for Forster.

Verdict: Season already a success.

TOTTENHAM

As they keep conceding, it is vital Harry Kane keeps scoring on his one-man quest to propel Spurs into the Champions League. Chances are not even Kane can do that.

Key man: Harry Kane - The 29-goal striking sensation.

Verdict: Back in the Europa League.

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