'We will never give up', Grant insists
Monday, 05 May 2008 21:04
Avram Grant promises Manchester United "good, good battle" for Premier League title
Avram Grant has promised
Manchester United a "good, good battle" after his
Chelsea side ensured the Premier League title race will go down to the wire.
Chelsea's 2-0 win at
Newcastle United means the Blues are level with United on 87 points with one game to play, but their rivals have a vastly superior goal difference.
United know victory against Wigan at the JJB Stadium next Sunday will guarantee the title, but also that any dropped points could prove critical if Chelsea beat Bolton at home.
Speaking after today's victory at St James' Park, Grant said it was testament to the determination of his team that they were still challenging for the league title as well as reaching the Champions League final with United.
"We will never give up," he said. "We will give [United] a good, good battle.
"Nobody thought about us as a candidate for champions but now we have the same points, only goal difference [separates the two teams], we will keep on fighting."
Grant, who took over from a Chelsea side floundering in the league following Jose Mourinho's departure in September last year, admitted his team's double-chasing season had surpassed even his own expectations.
"Our target from the first was to be in the Champions League," the Israeli manager said.
"We have improved our game and played good football, at the right moment and against the big teams."