Grant needs one last push

Blues remain in double hunt

By Chris Burton   Last updated: 5th May 2008

Avram Grant May 2

Grant: Chelsea are tiring

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Avram Grant admitted that Chelsea looked tired against Newcastle, but knows that there is still work to do.

The Blues ground out a 2-0 victory at St James' Park, a result which sees them move level on points with Manchester United at the top of the Premier League.

Chelsea made hard work of seeing off the plucky Magpies though, and Grant acknowledged that their recent European escapades are beginning to catch up with them.

Movement

"We didn't play good because the last month has been very hard," he told Sky Sports.

"Last week we played very good (against Manchester United), but then we started the first-half very, very slow (against Newcastle), the movement was not good so we had to change the tactics and the second-half was one of our best.

"We are talking about players having to play 120 minutes three days before 90 minutes against Manchester United, three days before against Liverpool.

"We have played excellent football in those performances, there was a lot of good movement and good football and maybe we were a little bit tired today."

Careful

Grant also revealed that he was pleased to see Florent Malouda add a late second for the Blues after seeing two points slip from their grasp in a recent 1-1 draw with Wigan.

"It is like that in football," he said.

"Against Wigan we played fantastic football, in my opinion, but we didn't score.

"We deserved to score eight or seven but didn't score and they scored, they fought very well. So in football you always need to be a little bit careful."

Battle

With the Blues set to face Bolton at Stamford Bridge next Sunday, while United travel to Wigan, Grant is adamant that the race for the title is far from over.

"We know that we are always chasing after Manchester United," he said.

"They are a great team, but we will give them a good battle and challenge until the end.

"It is now down to the last game of the season.

"I think that this is one of the best seasons, everything is going well. We have shown a lot character and played good football.

"I have always said that our target was to be in the final of the Champions League and to improve our game.

"Unfortunately the advantage is now with United but it will not be easy for them at Wigan."