Chelsea manager says goals should not decide
outcome
Avram Grant said last night that Chelsea have been
playing "the best football" over the Premier League run-in, though
he conceded also that his side could end up losing the title on
goal difference with the Israeli, albeit optimistically, suggesting
the trophy should be decided in a play-off match if the top two
finish level on points.
Chelsea host Bolton Wanderers tomorrow conscious that Manchester
United must drop points at Wigan if the London club are to stand
any realistic chance of regaining the title given that they begin
the day with a goal difference 17 worse than that of the league
leaders. Grant has long been aware that such a gulf was effectively
unbridgeable and insisted that a winner-takes-all play-off, a
system used in Italy until two years ago, would be a fairer way of
determining the champions.
"Of course I have an interest in saying this now but I liked the
system in Italy," said Grant. "They played a play-off match if they
were level and the title was decided like that. It is a better way,
so ask the Premier League to change to this.
I remember after the game against Derby County, which we won
6-1, saying to one of my players that I was disappointed because I
wanted us to score more goals. He said: 'Why do you say that? We've
scored six.' But I said it might be important at the end of the
season. He came up to me last week and said: 'How did you
know?'"
Grant, much maligned not least at times by the home supporters
at Stamford Bridge, can justifiably survey the campaign with
satisfaction and, having promised a more attack-minded approach
upon taking up the reins last September, can even point to more
entertaining displays in recent weeks.
"The doubts people had at the beginning were very reasonable but
even a big coach has to be judged by his results. That's how I want
people to judge me and I think those results have been good.
People called it 'boring Chelsea' before but I don't think this
team played boring football over the last three years. Our
first priority when I took over was to make history by reaching the
final of the Champions League. But now we are here in the
Premiership, we want to win this too.
"We will know from the reaction of the fans what is happening at
Wigan. Everybody will be watching that game - it's more
interesting, it's in the spotlight. The pitch will be ready, Wigan
will be ready, everything will be ready. They've fought hard at
home and have not lost there this year, drawing with Arsenal and
fighting to the last moment here against us. So let's see what
happens."