EPL's battle of the nouveau riche

• ESPN.com, Friday, September 24, 2010 1:36 PM

Saturday morning's Manchester City-Chelsea clash (7:30 am ET on ESPN2) could be dubbed the "Money-Is-No Object Game" or the "I-Have-More-High-Priced-Mercenaries-Than-You Bowl," writes David Hirshey.

It’s a classic matchup of nouveau riche (Chelsea is owned by Roman Abramovich) vs. nouveau richer (Manchester City got a geyser of Arab money last season that raised the ante to new heights of fiscal lunacy). Man City beat Chelsea twice last season, but Chelsea lifted the EPL crown and Man City went trophy-less and finished fifth.

City is one of only three teams -- besides Arsenal and Manchester United -- with a chance of keeping Chelsea from making a mockery of the title race. Chelsea is already four points clear at the top of the standings after just five games and boasts a plus-20 goal difference.

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