Carlo: Chelsea, win the lotti

Posted Saturday, April 23, 2011 by BBC.com

Carlo: Chelsea, win the lotti
ABOVE: Carlo Ancelotti says Chelsea must win every remaining game to catch Manchester United

CARLO ANCELOTTI says Chelsea must win every single game from now until the end of the season if they want to pull off a shock title triumph.

Down and out only a few weeks ago, they face West Ham today just six points behind Manchester United after winning six of their last seven games.

But Ancelotti claims failure to beat the Hammers at home would destroy their dreams of snatching away the Premier League crown with a late-season surge.

He said: “If we want to have a chance we have to think that we have to win every game.

“I just focus on the next one. Now we are talking about West Ham, so my focus is there, to prepare the team to give them a good recovery and good training to prepare for that game.

“We don’t think about taking it to the last game of the season. We have to play West Ham and we have to try to win. But obviously it is just three points.

“If Manchester United win every game, they will win the title. Our aim is to play every game at our best.”

Chelsea’s recent form helped them leapfrog Arsenal into second spot to become United’s main challengers.

Ancelotti is refusing to rule out the Gunners because United have to go to the Emirates whereas Chelsea play the leaders at Old Trafford on May 8.

The Italian said: “Arsenal has the same possibility to win it. They have a fantasy compared to us because they play at home to United, so maybe they have more chance to win against them than us. To be honest I would like to be in United’s place – six points ahead. If they don’t lose total control, they can win.

“Our players have to believe that we can win every game, and also that we can win at Old Trafford as we did last year.

“But this does not mean that we can win the title.

“The title is in the hands of United. The game in Manchester could be key.

“But we have to play against Tottenham before that. And after that game we play Everton, which is never easy.”

Ancelotti puts Chelsea’s recent revival down to the form of Didier Drogba, who looks back to his best after a stop-start season which included a bout of malaria.

The Blues boss said: “The team started to play well when we recovered our important players.

“When they came back to be fit like Didier – he is a player that can explain this moment. He is fit, he is in good condition, and the team is playing well.”

Midfielder John Obi Mikel is hoping to celebrate his birthday by piling more misery on his old boss today.

Mikel was 24 on Friday and says there is no room for sympathy when Chelsea take on Avram Grant ’ s strugglers at Stamford Bridge.

He said: “I got on well with Avram when he was here. He is a good man and helped us to the Champions League final. But hopefully we can win and take the three points.”

Mikel played the last time the two teams met, in a 3-1 win at Upton Park.

The Nigerian came the closest he’s been to a first goal since January 2007 when he hit the woodwork.

He said: “I’m still trying! But it’s more important to play well rather than think about scoring goals.

“There are other people in the team who can do that, so for me it’s just important that I am playing my part.”