Grant insists Chelsea can still win title

LONDON, England -- Chelsea manager Avram Grant still believes that his side can win the English Premier League title, despite dropping two points in Monday night's home match against Wigan.

A stoppage time equalizer by Emile Heskey gave Wigan a 1-1 draw and deprived the Londoners of two valuable points as they attempt to overhaul leaders Manchester United.

Chelsea are now five points adrift of United with four games to go and will be desperate to win their rearranged match at Everton on Thursday to stay in touch.

After the disappointing climax to Monday's game Grant declared: "We are still in the title race. It is more difficult now but we will still fight away.

"Of course the players believe and they don't stop. Anyway, we need to win the game against Everton and against Manchester United, and we still need a bad result from United.

"It didn't change so much but we will keep on fighting.

"Our problem this year is we don't use the chances. I don't know why, maybe it is a lack of concentration."

Grant acknowledged that nothing less than a victory at Everton would do. "Yes. I think if not, it will be very difficult," he said.

The fixture was brought forward by the Premier League giving Chelsea two title run-in matches in four days.

Grant said: "It's not easy, especially at the end of the season. But this is the decision. We are used to it. We will do our best. I didn't like the decision."

It is unclear whether Ivory Coast striker Didier Drogba or England midfielder Frank Lampard will be available on Thursday..

Drogba will have a scan on an injured knee, while Lampard had to drop out of the Wigan game at short notice notice because of family problems.

"It is a personal matter with Frank and I would prefer to leave it at that," said Grant.

"The players were a bit in shock because one of our best players had to leave the team at the last moment, which is understandable." E-mail to a friend