EPL

Rio Ferdinand: The Premiership title race is over

Rio Ferdinand believes Chelsea have ‘completely and mentally’ won the Premier League title following their 2-1 victory over Manchester City, a result which also led Pep Guardiola to concede that his side’s chances of winning the title are over.

Eden Hazard scored two first-half goals — either side of a Sergio Aguero equaliser — as Chelsea maintained their seven-point lead over second-placed Tottenham and stretch their advantage over City to 14 points.

Defeat by Crystal Palace on Saturday had seen Chelsea’s lead cut by Mauricio Pochettino’s side. But after they bounced back with victory over City, Ferdinand said the title race has now been put to bed.

Hazard finds the bottom corner to put Chelsea in front against Manchester City on Wednesday

Hazard finds the bottom corner to put Chelsea in front against Manchester City on Wednesday.

Rio Ferdinand believes Antonio Conte’s side have ‘completely’ won the Premier League title

Sergio Aguero levelled the game for the away side after 25 minutes at Stamford Bridge

Sergio Aguero levelled the game for the away side after 25 minutes at Stamford Bridge.

‘Completely and mentally (the race is over). Against Crystal Palace you thought about a little wobble but this was a well-thought-out performance,’ he said on BT Sport.

‘Eden Hazard was exceptional tonight. This is the end of it. They’ll go on now and continue to take points off everyone.’

Former Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard maintained that it’s still ‘a bit early to say one hand on the trophy’.

But Guardiola conceded defeat at Stamford Bridge was the final nail in the coffin of his side’s title ambitions.

City remain in fourth, four points clear of fifth-placed Arsenal. But after Arsene Wenger’s side beat West Ham 3-0 and Liverpool drew 2-2 with Bournemouth, Guardiola admitted his side now must turn their attention to winning the ‘battle’ to finish in the top four.

‘The Premier League is gone,’ he said. ‘Now it will be a battle to qualify for the Champions League.’

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