Premier League rivalries: John Terry, Wayne Bridge's animosity underlines City vs Chelsea

With international break drawing to a close, everyone's attention will w turn to Premier League. After an action-packed Matchday 12 that witnessed league leaders Liverpool extend ir lead at top of table at expense of Manchester City, Pep Guardiola's men will w take on third-placed Chelsea at Etihad Stadium on Saturday, vember 23 (11:00 pm IST). As Manchester City gear up to face Chelsea this weekend, re will be a slight undertone of a controversy gone by. Back in 2010, when Chelsea hosted Manchester City at Stamford Bridge, Chelsea captain John Terry's former teammate Wayne Bridge refused to shake hands with Chelsea captain. reason? An extramarital affair between John Terry and Wayne Bridge's former girlfriend.

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John Terry and Wayne Bridge's bitter rivalry

Following affair, John Terry was stripped of his England captaincy. In turn, Wayne Bridge chose to withdraw from England squad for 2010 World Cup scheduled to be held in South Africa. Interestingly, Professional Footballers' Association (PFA) offered to mediate differences between two. Both John Terry and Wayne Bridge, however, refused to participate in mediation. Earlier this year, John Terry and Wayne Bridge were both in attendance in February 2019 when Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's Manchester United beat Chelsea in FA Cup.

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Controversy aside, Chelsea will fancy ir chances as y visit Etihad Stadium this weekend. After 12 games, Premier League table is starting to take some shape. However, Manchester City will t be too content with ir fourth-place position in Premier League. Pep Guardiola's side succumbed to a 3-1 loss to Jurgen Klopp's Liverpool in ir last Premier League game. y w find mselves trailing league leaders by nine points. Chelsea, meanwhile, trail Liverpool by eight points and sit behind Leicester City on goal difference. 

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Frank Lampard will have ar taste of facing 'Big Six' in Premier League after suffering defeats against Manchester United and Liverpool earlier this season. Chelsea have been defensively disappointing this season. y've conceded 17 goals already this season - as much as sixth-placed Arsenal. Manchester City, meanwhile, will look to bounce back from ir loss against Liverpool and look to regain some ground in title race. 

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