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Pablo Zabaleta: 'Chelsea game will be tough'

Zabaleta: 'Chelsea game will be tough'
© PA Photos
Manchester City defender Pablo Zabaleta believes that Chelsea have a chance to make a fresh start under new manager Rafael Benitez.

Manchester City defender Pablo Zabaleta believes that the appointment of Rafael Benitez will ensure that his side have a tough game against Chelsea on Sunday.

Chelsea sacked Roberto Di Matteo on Wednesday but they were quick to appoint Rafael Benitez as his replacement, and Zabaleta has insisted that this could inspire the European champions to perform better.

Zabaleta told reporters: "It's a difficult moment for them but they now have a new manager in Rafa Benitez.

"When they are in a moment like this, it might seem they are easier to play against, but a new manager can make old players fresh again.

"Benitez has experience in the Premier League so it will be a really tough game for us."

Manchester City would extend their lead over Chelsea to seven points with a victory at Stamford Bridge.

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Rafael Benitez holds the Chelsea shirt as he is unveiled as manager on November 22, 2012
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TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool18143145172845
2Arsenal19116238172139
3Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest1911442619737
4Chelsea19105438231535
5Newcastle UnitedNewcastle1995532211132
6Manchester CityMan City199463226631
7Bournemouth198652923630
8Fulham197842825329
9Aston Villa198562831-329
10Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton196942928127
11Tottenham HotspurSpurs1973941281324
12Brentford197393335-224
13West Ham UnitedWest Ham196582335-1223
14Manchester UnitedMan Utd196492126-522
15Crystal Palace194872027-720
16Everton183871524-917
17Wolverhampton WanderersWolves1944113142-1116
18Ipswich TownIpswich1936101833-1515
19Leicester CityLeicester1935112242-2014
20Southampton1913151239-276


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