Chelsea ‘not out of race just yet’

CHELSEA striker Eidur Gudjohnsen dismissed claims the title is a two-horse race, insisting the Blues could still challenge Arsenal and Manchester United for his dream prize.

Chelsea recovered from their poor festive period, with just one point from three league games, with a resounding 4-1 win at home to Charlton, taking them back into third place.

Gudjohnsen made it clear that the Blues, who have consistently played down their title chances, have not given up all hope of catching their main rivals, especially with a trip to Old Trafford to come next weekend.

And boss Claudio Ranieri, who insisted he could only remember one half in which his team had played badly this season, also stressed that they would show no fear when they take on United.

Said Gudjohnsen: “We are still right up there and while we’re only just over halfway through the season, we have to keep our form up and lose as few points as we can to keep pressure on them.

Ranieri certainly has no reservations about his team’s chances of yet again overturning United at Old Trafford, where they won 3-0 last season.

“My team is in good condition. Manchester United have had a good run and we have a lot of respect for them but we are ready,” he insisted.

“They are a great squad and I remember losing in the Worthington Cup there earlier this season, but we always go face to face with them.

Despite his own side’s Christmas stumble, Ranieri has been impressed with their consistency this season, recalling only one 45-minute spell in which they have played badly.

That was in their 3-2 home defeat by West Ham, although he did confess that “I forget very easily” and the UEFA Cup loss to Viking Stavanger and their recent setback at Leeds could also have sprung to mind.

That defeat at Elland Road nevertheless came about as Ranieri was rotating his side, a decision which he regretted at the time but which could yet bear fruit.

“I hope so because I have all my players in very good condition now,” he concluded.