Stressful spell for top two, says AVB

ANDRE VILLAS-BOAS believes Chelsea have ensured a “stressful” Christmas for Manchester City and Manchester United by storming back into the Premier League title race.

The past three weeks have seen Villas-Boas’ Blues almost halve what was a 12-point gap to leaders City, while victory at Wigan today will see them close to within just four points of top spot.

Chelsea’s victory over City on Monday gave hope to all of the chasing pack, with United able to overhaul their Manchester rivals — temporarily at least — by winning at QPR today.