UNITED KINGDOM: FOOTBALL/SOCCER - Chelsea, Arsenal on the run to finish second to Manchester United

Record ID: 738003

  • Title: UNITED KINGDOM: FOOTBALL/SOCCER - Chelsea, Arsenal on the run to finish second to Manchester United
  • Date: 14th May 2011
  • Summary: LONDON, ENGLAND, UNITED KINGDOM (NOVEMBER 2, 2010) (REUTERS) ANCELOTTI ON TRAINING PITCH
  • Embargoed: 29th May 2011 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: United Kingdom, United Kingdom
  • Country: United Kingdom
  • Topics: Sports
  • Reuters ID: LVA11I27FT0P5HYHHEN1NJ3UDCPB
  • Story Text: Second-placed Chelsea host Newcastle United on Sunday (May 15) aiming to finish on a high in their last home match of the season.
    The defending champions from London lost 2-1 to Manchester United last week and are highly unlikely they will hold on to their title.

    "This is the motivation for the players to play a good game, to have a good reaction after the defeat, after the bad game we played against Macnhester United, I look forward to the next game,"
    Ancelotti told reporters on Friday (May 13).
    The Italian regretted that Chelsea's loss of form during the winter made it impossible for them to catch up with Manchester United and remained resigned to whatever decision club owner Roman Abramovich takes about his future.

    "I don't know what is going to happen about my future but I said I am not nervous. I am quiet, I am calm. I hope to stay. I said a lot of times but if something change I will find another solution without problem," he said.
    Captain John Terry has shaken off a knock he picked up at Old Trafford and is available to face Newcastle.
    Arsenal, who have Manchester City breathing down their necks in the battle for third place and automatic qualification to the group stage of the Champions League, are struggling with several injuries before hosting Aston Villa on Sunday (May 13).
    Midfielders Abou Diaby and Tomas Rosicky and defender Laurent Koscielny have been ruled out, while captain Cesc Fabregas and midfielder Samir Nasri face late fitness tests. Koscielny's absence opens the door for Thomas Vermaelen to make his first appearance after nine months out Manager Arsene Wenger was optimistic as ever when he faced the media on Friday (May 13).

    "(They are) quite good you know, you can catch with second place and we can finish second, third and fourth depending on our results so of course we want to finish in the top three and if possible second," he said.
    Tottenham Hotspur will be without several injured defenders for the trip to Liverpool on Sunday (May 13) although club captain Ledley King could make a surprise return.
    Goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes, William Gallas, Benoit Assou-Ekotto and Vedran Corluka are all sidelined along with midfielders Gareth Bale, Tom Huddlestone and Jermaine Jenas.
    Liverpool will clinch fifth and a Europa League spot if they win but Spurs are still in contention and manager Harry Redknapp said:
    "We want that fifth place now if we can make it."
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
  • Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2011. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
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