Top-four finish may be key to Zola future

Chelsea 4 Everton 1

Yesterday’s 4-1 victory against Everton at Stamford Bridge hoisted the Blues back into third spot for the first time in three months.

The West Londoners have 63 points, one more than fourth-placed Newcastle and two more than Liverpool, in fifth.

Zola’s magnificent injury-time lob was his 14th league goal of the season, establishing a new personal best in his seventh season at the club.

The evergreen Italian, who turns 37 in July, has still to reveal whether he will take up Chelsea’s offer of a one-year contract extension.

“Being in the Champions League is important because we must convince Gianfranco to stay with us,” said Ranieri. “I don’t put Gianfranco under pressure, but sometimes I speak to him and say ‘Come on, I need you so you must stay for another season. We’ll be going around Europe. Don’t you want to stay with me?’

“I don’t want to be in the UEFA Cup. I want to be in the Champions League.

Eidur Gudjohnsen’s sweet 25th-minute finish was only possible when visiting skipper David Weir fell over and gifted him possession.

Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink’s effort two minutes after the break, set up by a marvellous piece of skill by Jesper Gronkjaer, was a looping header which looked to be sailing over the top before dipping beneath the crossbar.

However, there was nothing fortunate about Gronkjaer’s 61st-minute effort, for which he showed superb control and produced a precise finish.

Lee Carsley tucked home a consolation with 13 minutes left but Zola’s last-gasp masterpiece condemned David Moyes’ men to back-to-back Easter defeats.

Man-of-the-match Gronkjaer emphasised the importance of Chelsea clinching Champions League football next season: “It’s important for the club to be in the Champions League and all the players know that. We’ve had a few seasons not getting into the Champions League and some poor results in the UEFA Cup.

“We’re aiming for the Champions League this season and getting closer. And it shouldn’t be possible for Everton to do it now.

Everton boss David Moyes last night insisted he had no knowledge of the incident in Saturday’s 2-1 Merseyside derby defeat when Wayne Rooney allegedly spat at Liverpool fans.

The teenage England ace is facing a police probe and the Toffees are expected to release a statement on the matter tomorrow.

“I don’t know anything about it,” said Moyes. “We came away on Saturday and I don’t know anything about it. I’ve answered that question now.”

Moyes, asked if his side’s dream of a top-four finish is over, admitted: “Yes, it is. We’ve given it a go and tried to hang in there.

“But for us to finish above Manchester United, Arsenal, Newcastle, Liverpool or Chelsea would have been some going.

CHELSEA: Cudicini, Melchiot, Desailly, Terry, Gallas, Gronkjaer (Le Saux 87), Petit, Lampard, De Lucas, Gudjohnsen (Cole 84), Hasselbaink (Zola 81).

EVERTON: Wright, Yobo (Gravesen 52), Weir, Stubbs, Unsworth (Hibbert 52), Naysmith, Gemmill, Li Tie (Ferguson 78), Carsley, Campbell, Rooney.