Where were you? Cech clashes with Terry bemoaning
Aston Villa's late leveller
What happened? Drogba and Terry start
post-mortem
Carlo Ancelotti insisted Chelsea are not out of
the Barclays Premier League title race despite watching them throw
away a crucial two points in a breathless 3-3 draw against Aston
Villa.
But the Blues boss admitted the result, which left his side
outside the top four, meant they must beat Manchester United in
March to stand any hope of retaining the championship.
Failure to see off Villa left Chelsea marooned in fifth place,
six points behind United having played a game more.
While a slip-up from their unbeaten arch-rivals in not
impossible, it is highly unlikely Manchester City, Arsenal and
Tottenham will all press the self-destruct button.
Ancelotti said after Wednesday's ugly win over Bolton that
Chelsea's title defence would have been over had they failed to end
their worst run of league results for 11 years - but he was defiant
after the draw with Villa..
"It's not over because we are improving and I think that we can
say something again this season," he said, pointing out United had
to win their game in hand to go nine points clear.
"First, they have to win. Second, I think that the gap is not a
light gap at this moment. But everything is open again.
"Obviously, we have to beat them here, and we can say something
again about the title."
The result put Ancelotti's position under fresh scrutiny after
Wednesday night's ugly 1-0 win over Bolton had eased the pressure
on the Italian.
At least Chelsea avoided defeat, a prospect that looked highly
likely six minutes from time against a Villa side that had largely
outplayed them.
Trailing 2-1 after Ashley Young's penalty and Emile Heskey's
header had cancelled out Frank Lampard's spot-kick, the home side
thought they had won it when Didier Drogba and John Terry found the
net.
Ancelotti denied his players had paid for
over-celebrating after Terry made it 3-2
Terry's goal sparked wild celebrations as Chelsea's
players mobbed Ancelotti, but the joy was short-lived as Ciaran
Clark levelled in stoppage-time.
Ancelotti said: "I think that we had a fantastic reaction second
half, we played very well, with a lot of energy, with a good
spirit.
"And when we thought that the game was won, we lost two points
at the last situation.
"For this reason, I'm disappointed because at this moment, when
we needed to win, it was our fault because I think we were not able
to maintain concentration until the end."
Ancelotti denied his players had paid for over-celebrating,
saying: "I think that it was not over-celebration. It was a good
reaction after the goal.
"The last goal, yes, it was a mistake, because we conceded an
easy cross and we didn't mark in the box."
He also played down an argument between Terry and Drogba at the
final whistle, saying: "Everything is okay."