Petr Cech: Title can still be ours

13 April 2012

Petr Cech today refused to concede the Premier League to Manchester United, insisting Chelsea can still make them crack under pressure if they beat Everton on Thursday.

Avram Grant's side suffered a major blow to their title hopes after Wigan striker Emile Heskey scored in injury-time to secure a 1-1 draw last night and leave them five points behind the leaders with four games to go.

The result means United can afford to lose to Chelsea in 11 days and draw one other game and still be crowned champions next month.

But Cech said: "We're not throwing the towel in yet. We have a difficult game at Everton on Thursday, but if we beat them we cut the gap to two and then Manchester United have to come to Stamford Bridge.

"We need someone to do us a favour and beat United, but we have to make sure we win all our games to keep the pressure on.

"They were lucky against Arsenal so they can be unlucky against Blackburn and the other teams. The best thing about the Premier League is that all the teams have quality and there is always pressure because games aren't easy to win. As long as we keep fighting we'll have a chance."

Cech admitted Heskey's strike ruined his comeback, after having been out for six weeks with ankle and facial injuries.

The 25-year old wore a mask over his lip and chin to protect the horrific cut which required 50 stitches last week.

He added: "Talking still hurts, but it's even harder after that game. It was a bit of a risk for me to play because no-one knew what would happen if I'd got hit in the same place again. But I wanted to play and in the end I wore the protection on my face and it was good."

Chelsea's hopes of a crucial victory at Everton could also be hit by the loss of their two leading scorers, Didier Drogba and Frank Lampard.

The Ivory Coast striker was due to undergo a scan today to find out the extent of the knee injury which sidelined him last night.

Lampard was another absentee after leaving Stamford Bridge during the warm-up to be with his mother Pat, who was taken to hospital suffering from pneumonia.

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Avram Grant

Chelsea F.c.

Emile Heskey

Wigan Athletic

Petr Cech: Title can still be ours

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