Brothers at ‘war’ as Mikel, Amoebi clash at Stamford Bridge

The match offers two players of Nigerian descent, John Mikel Obi of Chelsea and Sammy Amoebi of Newcastle the opportunity to engage each other in a brotherly war for the maximum points.Jose Mourinho’s side gleaned a mere four points from nine during a frenzy of holiday fixtures and a humbling 5-3 loss at Tottenham Hotspur […]

The match offers two players of Nigerian descent, John Mikel Obi of Chelsea and Sammy Amoebi of Newcastle the opportunity to engage each other in a brotherly war for the maximum points.
Jose Mourinho’s side gleaned a mere four points from nine during a frenzy of holiday fixtures and a humbling 5-3 loss at Tottenham Hotspur on January 1 meant champions City restored parity at the top having at one stage trailed by eight points.
An easy FA Cup win over second tier Watford offered Chelsea a breather, but they host managerless Newcastle knowing their margin for error between now and May is miniscule.
Buoyant City, who are level on points (46), goal difference (25) and goals scored (44) with Chelsea, are away at struggling Everton on the same day, looking to continue a blistering run which has yielded 26 points from the last 30 on offer.
After Mourinho’s side had threatened to run away with it earlier in the season, the title race now effectively starts from scratch with an 18-match sprint.
Chelsea’s stumbles have happened away from home with losses to Newcastle and Tottenham and a draw at Southampton.
They have been immaculate at home though, winning nine out of nine in the league and striker Loic Remy believes the recent slip-ups are not the start of a longer slide.
“The mood is really positive and we’re focused on all of our targets,” Remy, who scored against Watford, said. “During the season every team will be in trouble at certain times, so for us I hope it’s behind us now with the last two league games.”
John Carver remains in temporary charge of mid-table Newcastle after Alan Pardew left for Crystal Palace and he will be wary of a Chelsea backlash as he tries to stake his claim for the job on a fulltime basis.
“I’d be a fool if didn’t want to be head coach of this football club,” Carver, who could have first-choice keeper Tim Krul back, told the Northern Echo.
Third versus fourth meet at Old Trafford tomorrow as Manchester United host Southampton while in-form Tottenham, up to fifth, are Pardew’s first league test as Palace manager today. Tottenham would rise to fourth with a win.
Sixth-placed Arsenal host Stoke City tomorrow.