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22:24 GMT, Monday, 14 April 2008 23:24 UK

We're still in title race - Grant

Chelsea manager Avram Grant

Chelsea manager Avram Grant believes his team can still win the Premier League title despite losing ground on leaders Manchester United.

Emile Heskey scored an injury-time equaliser for Wigan on Monday to leave Chelsea five points behind United with four games left.

"We are still in the title race. It is more difficult now but we will still fight away," said Grant.

Chelsea face Everton on Thursday before playing United on 26 April.

"We need to win the games against Everton and Manchester United," added Grant. "If not, it will be more difficult - and we need one more bad result off Manchester United.

"We know at some stage you can lose the points but we didn't want it to happen against Wigan."

606: DEBATE
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Charlton-Chillers

After playing Everton and United, the Blues then travel to Newcastle before completing their season with a home match against Bolton.

Chelsea had taken the lead against Wigan through Michael Essien after 54 minutes.

And Grant said: "In the second half we played wonderfully.

"It was one of our best performances and we had a lot of chances. But this is football. If you don't score the second one and don't pay attention, this is what happens.

"Our problem this year is we don't use the chances. I don't know why, maybe it is a lack of concentration."

Frank Lampard had withdrawn from the team for personal reasons shortly before kick-off and the Blues boss said this may have affected his team's performance in the opening 45 minutes.

"It is a personal matter with Frank and I would prefer to leave it at that," added the Chelsea manager.

"I didn't like the first half but I think the players were a bit in shock because one of our best players had to leave the team at the last moment, which is understandable."

"We are still in the bottom end of the table but we're quietly confident"
Wigan boss Steve Bruce

Goalkeeper Petr Cech played wearing a special chin mask to protest the 50 stitches he had inserted after a training ground injury last week.

And he echoed Grant's sentiments that his team will continue to push United all the way.

"We are not happy with the fact we dropped two points but the message from the dressing room is that it is not over yet," said Cech.

"We need to concentrate on ourselves and we need to win every game."

The result at Stamford Bridge was a major boost for Wigan, who are now six points clear of the relegation zone.

"We still need to pick up a couple of points but we are delighted," said manager Steve Bruce.

"We have to thank our keeper Chris Kirkland because we rode our luck.

"We hope one more win might be enough. We are still in the bottom end of the table but we're quietly confident."




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Related to this story:

Chelsea v Wigan photos (14 Apr 08 |  Football )
Chelsea 1-1 Wigan (14 Apr 08 |  Premier League )
How to watch Match of the Day (08 Oct 07 |  Match of the Day )

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