'I'm only interested in Chelsea,' said the Italian
Carlo Ancelotti is not particularly bothered by Manchester United.
Ancelotti not bothered by Manchester United
By Paul Lagan
Updated Monday, 21st September 2009
His side returned to the top of Premier League with a 3-0 win over north rivals Spurs yesterday having seen United take top spot by virtue of scoring more goals than the Blues.
However he watched the Manchester derby hours before his team dismantled the visitors and said he was unconcerned about United's last-gasp victory.
United who have won the Premier League for the past three years defeated their city rivals 4-3 in a pulsating encounter at Old Trafford.
Ancelotti said: "It was an unbelievable game - similar to the 4-4 draw between Arsenal and Liverpool last season - only in England do you get these games.
"When a team scores in the last minute, then they are a good side," said the Italian.
But I am only interested that Chelsea play well and win."
It seems strange that the Chelsea boss is so dismissive of the one team that can deny them the Premier League.
It either shows a naivety or an extraordinary confidence in his own ability or that of his team to blow all away - including United.
Of his team's latest win - six in the row in the league and 11 straight wins if you include the tail end of last season, Ancelotti said: "We are happy to win.
"It was a difficult and important match. Spurs changed their midfield and caused us problems in the first half - but in the second half, we did well defensively and counter-attacked well."
One major blow was the loss of Didier Drogba.
"I don't know how long he will be out - we will wait a few days and see what the prognosis is then.
"Drogba complained about crap in his calf - I hope it's only cramp."
Ancelotti added that he told the players that they played well and did a good job."
The Chelsea coach would not be drawn on the furore surrounding what Spurs thought was a stonewall penalty when Robbie Keane was clipped in the area by Jose Bosingwa.
"I don't know if it was a penalty, " he said.
"The ref had a good game - there was a lot of respect between the players.
The other player substituted was Michael Ballack: "He was a little tired and felt something on the back of his leg, so I took him off."
Ancelotti will impress on his players to keep on winning: "I want us to maintain our situation," he said, referring to his winning streak - a club record not matched by the peerless Jose Mourinho.
"We have QPR in the Carling Cup on Wednesday and we need the same mental attitude.
But it won't be an easy game.
We will have young players from the academy with us and they will have the chance to improve."
He was referring in particular to Fabio Borini, a young Italian who made his debut with a couple of minutes remaining of the derby match.
Spurs boss Harry Redknapp was naturally furious about Howard Webb's refusal to award Keane a penalty but conceded that the title will be won by either Chelsea or Manchester United.
On the penalty chance, he said: "If Robbie goes down, it's a penalty. But if the ref thought it was a dive, then why not book Robbie - he did nothing instead.
"There has being so much talk recently about diving, players are scared to go down if they are touched. Robbie said he was caught.
Redknapp then went on to say that Drogba was unplayable once Ledley King limped off. The loss of Sebastien Bassong aided Chelsea's win he added as they had no centre-back cover.
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