City plan to prove a point in Chelsea showdown

London: Manchester City will aim to prove their hectic schedule won't stop them winning the Premier League when leaders Chelsea visit Eastlands for a enthralling showdown today.
City are one point behind Chelsea heading into the first meeting this season between two teams who have quickly emerged as leading title contenders under their new managers.
While City featuring in a title battle only five months into Pep Guardiola's reign is hardly a surprise given the club's financial muscle and their Spanish manager's impeccable CV, Chelsea's presence at the top of the table is more unexpected.
The Blues were in turmoil last season after Jose Mourinho was sacked, but former Italy and Juventus coach Antonio Conte has teased out renewed focus and passion from a squad of fragile egos and the results have been impressive.
Three points in Manchester would take Chelsea to eight consecutive league victories for the first time since 2010, but City have lost just one of their last 15 league games and have a point to prove about the rivals' differing schedules.
While third placed City have had the pressure of trying to qualify from a tough Champions League group, Chelsea have enjoyed the luxury of extra rest due to their failure to quality for European competition.
A draw at Eastlands would give second placed Liverpool the chance to go top if they win at Bournemouth tomorrow. Jurgen Klopp's side are unbeaten in their last 11 matches.
      Arsene Wenger is confident fourth placed Arsenal will get back on track after their surprise League Cup exit when they face West Ham.
Wenger's side were beaten 2-0 at home by Southampton in the quarter-finals on Tuesday, while West Ham also crashed out of the competition with a 4-1 thrashing at Manchester United.
Manchester United travel to Everton aiming to maintain the momentum of their midweek victory.
Mourinho's team are 11 points behind Chelsea after winning just one of their last seven league games, but United midfielder Michael Carrick hasn't given up hope of a successful season.