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Evra revels in Blues test

Red Devils favourite wants to beat Chelsea more than anyone

By Richard Bailey Last updated: 8th November 2009

Evra: Never far from the action

Every year for me [Chelsea] is the team to beat. Chelsea is more about the title race.

Patrice Evra
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Patrice Evra has admitted that he wants to beat Chelsea more than any other team in the Premier League.

Despite the champions boasting intense rivalries closer to home, notably Liverpool and Manchester City, the Frenchman insists that games against the Blues have a special edge in helping to decide the destination of the title.

The 28-year-old is unbeaten in his last six outings against the West Londoners, Evra was rested for the 2-1 defeat at Stamford Bridge in April 2008, and is looking to extend that run on Sunday.

The champions travel to the Bridge lying third in the table but aware that three points would take them back to the summit.

"I respect Chelsea a lot. I respect a lot that when you win against that team you show how powerful you are because it is a powerful team," he told the Sunday Times.

"And when you win against Chelsea it is because you win every challenge, you are more powerful than them.

Team to beat

"Every year for me it is the team to beat. When people ask me which game I want to win, okay the derby Liverpool or City, but Chelsea is more about the title race.

"When you play against Chelsea you need to have the good food, a good lunch, because they are very strong. And every time when I play against Chelsea something has happened."

The left-back is never far from the action against Chelsea having been involved in a bust-up with a member of the Stamford Bridge grounds staff as the United team warmed down after the defeat 18-months ago, an incident Evra is still unhappy about today after being fined �15,000 and handed a four-game ban.

Evra was at it again in the Community Shield this summer when Michael Ballack controversially body checked him in the lead-up to a Chelsea goal but both incidents are not as strange as when the former Nice man faced Chelsea in the semi-final of the UEFA Champions League while at Monaco in 2004.

Bizarre

After pleading with the Monaco physio to keep him on the field after sustaining a nasty gash to the foot, Evra still possesses the scar, the United ace revealed a bizarre way of ensuring he could play through the pain.

"It was very painful but I played with a meat," he added. "I was putting a chicken as protection. Seriously I swear it's true.

"When the doctor saw that technique he said 'what are you doing?' But it helped me a lot. I couldn't feel the ball too much but it protected me a lot.

"I played one month with meat in my boots."

The month of the injury included the Champion League final defeat to Porto and Evra added: "The most funny thing is, after the game, the meat was cooked. Not ready to eat, but a little bit cooked."