In two matches, Chelsea have turned the Premier League's goal difference column in their favour and Carlo Ancelotti, their manager, is confident it is that brand of attacking football that will lead them to the title. Before Wednesday's game against Portsmouth, Chelsea were five goals worse off than Manchester United, the league leaders. But, after thumping the Premier League's bottom club 5-0 and then destroying Aston Villa 7-1 at Stamford Bridge on Saturday, Ancelotti's team are now two goals ahead of their rivals - a statistic that could prove vital in a tight title race should the two teams finish level on points.
Chelsea face United at Old Trafford next week knowing victory will put them two points clear of their rivals at the top of the table. Now Ancelotti believes they have found the key that can land them the title in his first season at the club. "When we play our best attacking football, we are able to overcome any defence," said Ancelotti. "It is important that we play our best football until the end of the season in the Premier League and the FA Cup. We can make this a fantastic season if we finish in the right way."
Since Chelsea's defeat by Inter Milan in the Champions League second round and their disappointing 1-1 draw at Blackburn two weeks ago, they have been on top form, scoring 12 times. They have switched back to a more familiar 4-3-3 formation and the change has given them renewed belief they can win the title by looking to attack. "We always want to play attacking football and this is how we started on Wednesday against Portsmouth, with an attacking team, which is why we are now the top scoring team in the Premier League," added Ancelotti.
"I think we have shown that we have the mentality to recover well and the players performed how I would have liked us to." * With agencies