Grant - Chelsea's style should be rewarded with the title

By Steve Griffiths AFP - Friday, May 9 03:39 pm

LONDON (AFP) - Avram Grant believes Chelsea deserve to rip the Premier League from Manchester United's grasp because they have played better football than the leaders when the pressure has been most intense.

Grant's side are level on points with United and will clinch the English title if they beat Bolton and Sir Alex Ferguson's team draw or lose at Wigan in Sunday's dramatic finale.

The Chelsea boss is adamant that would be the right outcome after the way his team have sprinted to the finish line with a 20-match unbeaten run that included thrilling victories over Arsenal and United.

Ferguson may beg to differ as United's vastly superior goal difference, which will guarantee them the title if they see off Wigan, suggests the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Wayne Rooney and Carlos Tevez have provided the most thrills and spills.

But Grant said: "I think in the last month we have been playing the best football. We have played it at the right time against really big teams and managers.

"Alex said two or three months ago that this is the best Manchester United team since he was coaching. But if they take the title it will be on goal difference so we have given them a good battle. I'm very proud of the players.

"I'm not surprised because I'm with the team every day. I know nobody expected that we would come to this stage but we believed all the time.

"The players showed good character and quality. They recovered when we didn't have good moments. It is not easy when you have to chase, chase, chase.

"We played good most of the time but we have developed in the last month in games that were important to us."

With so much at stake, Ferguson has turned to the mind games again but Grant scoffed at his rival's suggestion that Chelsea would have an easy ride against Bolton on Sunday because the Wanderers players have been out celebrating after almost securing their survival.

While Wigan have nothing to play for, Bolton could actually still go down if they suffer a heavy defeat at Stamford Bridge and Grant is convinced Gary Megson's men, like Wigan, won't roll over.

"Alex knows everything! I like and respect him but we know why he says things sometimes. I don't think he knows what's happening in Bolton," Grant said.

"I think Bolton are almost safe but I don't think they will play like the game is not important. They will try to do their best.

"Wigan didn't lose at home since January, they played fantastic against us and they know they are in the spotlight. All over the world everybody is watching so I think they will do their best."

Grant faces a nervous wait to see if Ricardo Carvalho will be fit in time to feature against Bolton. Carvalho suffered a back injury when he landed awkwardly following an aerial challenge in Monday's win at Newcastle and Grant admitted the Portugal defender still hadn't trained by Friday.

If Chelsea do have to settle for second place they can quickly get revenge by beating United in the Champions League final in Moscow on May 21.

Satisfying Roman Ambramovich's desire to see Chelsea reach their first final of Europe's elite club competition has given Grant a degree of leeway he has rarely enjoyed since taking over from Jose Mourinho in September.

Grant would love to get his hands on both trophies but he made it clear if he had to choose one, then he would go for success in Europe.

"I said when I first came here that our first priority was to be in the final of the Champions League because it is history for the club and a big statement that we have improved our game," Grant said.

"But when you come to the bridge you want to go to the other side so we want to win on Sunday and on May 21."

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