Premier League notebook: Ancelotti looks to pressurise Manchester United

Carlo Ancelotti, the Chelsea manager, is a firm believer that anything can happen in football and has not given up hope of his side defending their Premier League title.

Their only realistic hope of overhauling Manchester United would be to win all of their remaining games - including at Old Trafford in two weeks - and hope Arsenal beat United on Sunday.

A Chelsea victory over Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday would crank up the pressure on United ahead of that game, according to Ancelotti. "If we are able to win against Tottenham, I think we can put more pressure on Manchester United in the game against Arsenal," he said.

Were Chelsea also to win at Old Trafford, the teams would be level on points with two games remaining, raising the prospect of the title being decided on goal difference.

Tony Pulis insists Stoke City becoming established as a Premier League club is more important than possible FA Cup victory next month. Stoke meet Manchester City at Wembley Stadium in three weeks but Pulis knows it is only the icing on the cake compared to staying part of the top flight.

Pulis, whose side entertain Wolverhampton Wanderers tonight, said: "We are absolutely delighted that we've got to an FA Cup final. It's a brilliant achievement by the club. But the priority will always be the Premier League.

That's where we want to play, and the longer we are in the Premier League the club will grow because it will give us the finances to make it a stronger club."

Sylvan Ebanks-Blake is a major doubt for Wolverhampton Wanderers for tonight's Premier League game at Stoke.

The striker suffered a recurrence of a hamstring injury after appearing as a substitute during the weekend home draw with Fulham, after initially suffering the injury in the previous game against Everton when he came off at half time.

His strike partner Kevin Doyle, meanwhile, is targeting a comeback in time for the final two games of the season. The Republic of Ireland international has been sidelined since suffering a knee ligament injury while on international duty last month.

Tony Hibbert, the Everton defender, believes qualifying for Europe is no longer an acceptable target for the club and they have to end their long trophy drought next season.

Everton's chances of playing in the Europa League were virtually ended when they lost at Manchester United and Liverpool beat Birmingham City to move five points clear in sixth place with four matches left.

But even if they can make up lost ground, Hibbert is already thinking about next season and ending the club's 16-year wait for a trophy.

"Whatever cup it is, we need one next season," he said. "Everton need silverware - the sooner the better."

Roy Hodgson admits he needs to sign "several players" this summer if West Brom secure their Premier League status for another season.

The Baggies coach is aware his squad needs strengthening if Albion, who are in 12th place in the league on 40 points, are to avoid being involved in another relegation battle next year.

He said: "I think we need to make some improvements to the squad if we do stay up. We need to be looking very carefully at how we are going to improve this squad … it is very important we sign several players in the summer that will really help us."