Ancelotti insists mid-season crisis is over

CARLO ANCELOTTI believes that Chelsea are ready to show themselves in the title race now that Frank Lampard is fit and their season is back on track.

Lampard, who has been out since undergoing a hernia operation in August, played 15 minutes of yesterday’s 1-1 draw at Tottenham and is in line to face Manchester United next Sunday in another title six-pointer.

There was also good news for Chelsea as John Terry looked back to his best at White Hart Lane after recovering from sciatica and Didier Drogba scored his first goal from open play in 10 matches.

Drogba, surprisingly left on the bench at the start, also saw a late penalty saved that would have earned Chelsea victory but Ancelotti believes his team’s mid-season crisis — which has seen them win only once in seven league games — is now over; just in time to face United at Stamford Bridge next weekend.

The Italian said: “I think our bad moment is behind us. Now it’s a very important week. We have to train, recover our condition and prepare well for Man United. It will be a good test.

“It’s very good news for us that Frank is back, it’s very important because he’s a fantastic player. He is able to manage this moment with experience and personality.

“We will arrange a friendly for him on Thursday and I think he is able to play from the start in the next game.”

Chelsea are currently fourth in the Premier League table but Ancelotti is adamant their title chase is not over.

He said: “I think it is a long race. It will be a Premier League with a lot of balance because a lot of teams are involved to win the title. I think Chelsea will be involved until the end of the season.

“We are fourth now but it doesn’t matter. It could be a problem if you are fourth at the end of the season but not now.

“The important thing was we played well today. The second half was really better, we had more strength, more passion, more determination. I think we deserved to win it and we were very close. We missed a penalty but it doesn’t matter because we played well.”

Ancelotti reserved praise for striker Drogba who was furious at being told he was dropped but responded with a goal and a fine performance as a second-half sub.

“Didier did very well, he worked very hard and was very dangerous,” he said. “He played a fantastic game. He was not happy of course when I told him he was not playing but he showed a good reaction. Now I think our bad spell is behind us.”

Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp believes the title race is still open despite the result.

He said: “I think it’s open, I really do. I saw Man City yesterday and they are strong, they will be right there. And United, Arsenal, Tottenham too.

“Maybe the top teams are not as good as they were a year or two ago. Man United are not as good without Ronaldo and Tevez, are they? And Chelsea have had players out – but with them back, they’ll be stronger.”

Tottenham have also suffered injuries, with William Gallas the latest after suffering a hamstring problem.

“He felt it go on Friday, he felt it tear and we don’t know how long he’ll be out,” said Redknapp.

“Palacios did his ankle today too and we’re running out of midfielders. But I’m hoping Ledley (King) will be back soon and (Younes) Kaboul too. And it was good to have Michael Dawson back today. We have a good squad.”