Jose MourinhoThe stage is set
for a Premier League coronation this weekend as champions-elect Chelsea
host Crystal Palace on Sunday needing three points to claim a first
league title since 2010,AFPreports.Chelsea’s 3-1 win at Leicester City
on Wednesday left them 13 points clear of nearest rivals Manchester City
and Arsenal, who have a game in hand, and brought the league trophy to
within touching distance.The title seems destined for Stamford Bridge
regardless of what happens this weekend, butChelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech
is eager to cross the line in front of the club’s fans.“It’s amazing
when you win a title, but if you win it at home it puts the icing on the
cake,” said the 32-year-old Czech, who deputised for Thibaut Courtois
at Leicester.With Palace 12 points clear of the bottom three and safe
from relegation, they would appear to represent perfect dupes for
Chelsea’s title party.But while Alan Pardew’s side have lost their last
two home games, going down 2-0 to West Brom and Hull, they have been
beaten only once in eight matches on the road.“Stamford Bridge is ready
to celebrate, but if I can ask something from them it is to not
celebrate,” warned Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho.“We all want to win on
Sunday, but it will be a difficult game. Stamford Bridge must be readyto
push us. I hope they want to play the game with us. We need them to
help us win the title on Sunday.”As well as the title race, the battle
for Champions League qualification also appearsto be sewn up, with
Liverpool now seven points adrift of the top four following their
lacklustre 1-0 loss at Hull on Tuesday.But while City, Arsenal and
Manchester United look assured of a top-four berth, it is only by
finishing in the top three that automatic passage to Europe’s elite club
competition can be secured.City currently lead the way, heading Arsenal
on goal difference, but they have played a game more than Arsene
Wenger’s men and face an awkward trip to sixth-place Tottenham on
Sunday.With Arsenal not in action until Monday, whenthey visit Hull,
United will look to steal a march on both their rivals by winning at
hometo West Brom, who pulled off a famous victoryat Old Trafford last
season.United lost 3-0 at Everton last time out — their second defeat in
a row — and defender Chris Smalling has urged his team-mates to make
amends.“We’ve got four big games now in which we’ve got to make sure we
were better than on Sunday,” he told the United website.“We’ll be eager
to put this right. I think we’ll see a different Manchester United
against West Brom.”The relative stability at the top of the standings
has lent greater prominence to the battle to avoid relegation.Bottom
club Burnley, five points adrift of safety, could be left on the brink
of an immediate return to the Championship if they do not win at West
Ham United.
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