[funkdoctorspock]

Very surprised that Chelsea has been able to bounce right back into the title race after all the turmoil they've faced early on in the season.

Sir Alex is definitely spot on when he says that they are the main threats to the title this year.

Arsenal have rolled over and bowed out. Liverpool have been Liverpool [I'm really cheering Everton to take 4th spot from the bin dippers].

United still have to play at Stamford Bridge. Hopefully United can get a favourable result there.

United boss wary of Chelsea challenge

Sir Alex Ferguson believes the greatest threat to his side's hopes of recording back-to-back Premier League titles is the charge of Avram Grant's Chelsea.

The Blues' crucial 2-1 victory over Arsenal on Sunday extended their unbeaten run to 14-league games as they continue to push United all the way in the race for the title.

With five points now separating Ferguson's men and Chelsea, the United boss believes the Stamford Bridge clash between the two side's on 26th April could prove decisive.

"I think Chelsea hold the key," Ferguson said. "We've still got to go to Stamford Bridge where they've got a formidable home record.

"We have established a good lead but we're not taking anything for granted, we have to carry on playing the way we have been.

Consistent

"As I've said all along, the team who shows real consistency between now and the end of the season will win the league."

The United side which beat Liverpool 3-0 in the first half of Grand Slam Sunday included just three players over the age of 30 - Edwin van der Sar, Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes.

Ferguson admitted he is delighted with how his young side have blossomed this season as they continue their challenge for silverware both domestically and in Europe.

"We've developed as a team this season and I think you saw that maturity reach its peak with our win over Liverpool," he said.

"We've retained the consistency of last season, we're challenging for the league again and we're in the quarter-finals of the European Cup."

Sky Sports | Football | Premier League | Manchester United | Fergie - Blues hold the key

[Torque]

We'll Grant's hard work begins to pay off. After Mourinho left, it was normal for a team to play like crap. And it was hard for Grant to control the team as he is different from Mourinho.

Now he has built a new team, a new Chelsea. That's why they are so dangerous, because the team is different from how we remember it from the last 2 years.

[TeKnIcIaN]

I still think Grant is simply running on the coattails of the side Jose built during his time at Chelsea. They have some really excellent players on the field in the likes of Drogba, Lampard, Terry, Essien, etc and I think that's what is carrying them through currently.

Grant seems to make some rather odd decisions that I think will be his undoing during the run-in for the title. Of course, if he stops doing weird things like playing Anelka as a winger and Essien as a right-back, things might gel for them.

Yes, they are our greatest threat for the title now that Arsenal has seemingly caved, but I don't think they are enough of a threat to keep our hands off the trophy again this year.

[simpsom]

ya they are threat because they are second.DUH
i think they really are a good team
and sometime they can pull out thing that is really great

[cbud003]

I am really looking forward to the next clash against Chelsea. Their title hopes will be gone after we kick their asses on the 26th.

[BigMic]

Chelsea are always there for the past few years.Their run under Grant doesn't surprise me at all.The players are the same and I think they will challenge us to the end.We obviously have a better team but it's not so easy to get all 6 points against Chelsea and Arsenal.

[macca247]

always thought arsenal would crash at some point but i believe united will finish strong and as for chelsea i can see united getting good result

[Yimmy83]

Well i agree that this is still Jose's team, but with the addition of Anelka i think Grant is really starting to take control.
Out of the games United has left, this one worries me. Anelka, Drogba, and Cole and being an away game might be a loss

[Scott the Red]

It gave me quite a shock a couple of weeks ago and saw Chelsea were only three points behind us. I think Grunt is a clueless wanker but Chelsea are managing to grind out results somehow. It's rather disconcerting.

I'd rather Chelsea finish second than Arsenal though. Chelsea fans have had the wind knocked out of their sails already, but the Gooners really needed to be brought down a peg or two!

[Iron_Maiden]

Chelsea hold the key means that the game on Stamford Bridge could prove to be crucial in that title race.They are unbeaten in 14 games and could suffer from complacency,but the main threat may be Grants ability to make the substitutions and tactical changes he makes are also a big danger.This hard working team(Chelsea) should not be underestimated:we all knew that Chelsea(Mourinhos) side,but from this one(Grants) you dont know what to expect.Stamford Bridge-most likely a draw.