Lots of teams still in with a title shout

Les Chapman

The Manchester City roving reporter and former Latics star writes every week for Chron Sport

A LOT of people gave Manchester City’s Eliaquim Mangala their man of the match vote following his performance at Leicester the other night.

He certainly paired well with Nicolas Otamendi at the back and that’s encouraging, given the continuing absence of skipper Vincent Kompany.

It was a decent point at the King Power Stadium. Leicester have done so well this year. They’ve made a huge impact against the odds, much in the same way that Watford, Crystal Palace and Southampton have recently. It’s been really refreshing to see so many teams competing at the top of the premier league and it makes for a great second half of the season. I think anyone from Liverpool up will consider themselves still in with a chance of winning the title.

City travel to Watford this weekend and another really tough game beckons. In Deeney and Ighalo they’ve got two dangerous strikers who will be a constant threat.

There’s been talk about winter breaks again this week. I know the top European leagues take a rest, some for up to four weeks. I think it would be a great idea for our premier league, but I’d be very surprised if a break was ever introduced.

This busy period is a big part of footballing tradition. Boxing Day fixtures always seem to attract the bigger crowds. It’s a time when more families get the chance to see a game I suppose so it’s an important time of the year.