Man City and Liverpool show just why they are title also-rans as both sides miss host of chances to take all three points at the Etihad

AT THE ETIHAD STADIUM: If it wasn’t for Chelsea, this would be a heck of a title race. As far down as Everton in seventh, they would be all be convincing themselves they had a chance. Sadly for the rest, though, Chelsea are indeed involved and here were some of the reasons why we all expect them to turn a ten-point advantage at the top in to a procession come May. Manchester City and Liverpool were brilliant to watch here and this was a brilliant game. But their watchability comes not just from their exciting attacking play but also from their flaws and unpredictability.On the whole, unpredictable teams do not win the Premier League. You don’t win the really big prizes if nobody knows what you are going to do next and that, for the time being, is what continues to undermine these teams and everybody else who may still entertain fanciful designs of catching Antonio Conte’s bulldozing side.
Maybe that all sounds a little unfair after such a terrific game. Whatever we may think about Pep Guardiola and Jurgen Klopp, both managers are admirably committed to aggressive, front-foot football. When Klopp introduced holding midfielder Lucas Leiva to ensure his team took a point, it was probably the first pragmatic move either coach made all day and at that stage there was precisely one minute of normal time left.
Nevertheless, City and Liverpool are not built to win the Premier League. Not yet, anyway.