| GRANT REMAINS CONFIDENT OF DOUBLE SUCCESS | Posted: 07/04/08 | Avram Grant believes Chelsea have the manpower that can drive them to glory on two fronts.
Avram Grant believes Chelsea have the manpower that can drive them to glory on two fronts.
he Israeli coach saw his side keep the pressure on Manchester United -and
Arsenal at arm's length - with a 2-0 Premier League victory against
Manchester City yesterday.
Next up are Zico's Fenerbahce at Stamford Bridge, where Chelsea will try to
peg back a 2-1 deficit on Tuesday in the Champions League quarter-final.
They go into the match in good shape after a comfortable victory against City,
even though Grant changed half the team with the crucial European match in
mind.
An own goal from captain Richard Dunne after six minutes gave Chelsea the
perfect start.
He got his bearings wrong, after Nicolas Anelka delivered a cross from the
left and steered his attempted clearance beyond goalkeeper Joe Hart.
Chelsea then came under some pressure before adding a second in the 53rd
minute, thanks to a cool finish from Salomon Kalou after the impressive Michael
Essien had threaded the ball into his path.
Anelka almost added a third when his header came back off the bar in an
impressive display by the title chasers.
Key players Didier Drogba and Ricardo Carvalho are among those expected to be
recalled against the Turks after being rested yesterday.
Grant is convinced his side can turn things around and secure a place in the
semi-finals against either Arsenal or Liverpool, whose tie hangs in the balance
after they drew 1-1 at the Emirates Stadium.
He said: 'I never know the result before a game; otherwise, I would gamble
and become a millionaire. But I know what I expect and what we can do. I have confidence in my team,
never mind whether we are playing Fenerbahce or Barcelona.
'We played well in Turkey, not just in the first half but in the second half
until they scored. Fenerbahce are a good team with a good coach. He was a player I liked very
much.
'I know it will not be easy but I know we can win. We have a lot of quality
and can beat anyone. During December and January nearly all the big players were out.
'This group of players has brought us to the place we are now. They have done
a terrific job - so we trust them.'
Grant was pleased with the players' response after the defeat in midweek.
He said: 'I am always happy when we win. We started well, but Manchester City
came back at us. They have a good team and a good manager.
'City put on a good show in the first half, but we played better in the
second period and could have scored more.'
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