Return Match :English Team VS English Team
Manchester United FC and Chelsea FC might both have the excitement of a UEFA Champions League final to look forward to at the end of the month but before that fixture there is a Premier League title to be won. Keen for success on all fronts, Ji-Sung Park and Petr Čech are urging their respective sides to remain focused on the task in hand and not let their thoughts drift ahead to Moscow on 21 May.
Tight at the top
Chelsea's 2-1 Premier League win against United at Stamford Bridge last Saturday has left the sides level on 81 points with two games remaining. United still hold the upper hand due to their superior goal difference and can re-establish a three-point lead with victory at home to West Ham United FC on Saturday ahead of Chelsea's visit to Newcastle United FC two days later. Both title contenders are sure to be in buoyant mood and both Park and Čech are keen to capitalise on that positive atmosphere as the season reaches a climax.
'Working hard'
"We got the win because eleven players worked hard and showed good concentration for the whole 90 minutes, but we have to remember we've got two important games before the Champions League final," said Park after an impressively hard-working display in United's 1-0 defeat of FC Barcelona at Old Trafford on Tuesday night. "We need to win them before we think about that."
'Incredible atmosphere'
The Korea Republic international had tasted semi-final disappointment before, having lost to AC Milan in 2004/05 while at PSV Eindhoven, but Tuesday’s win extends a remarkable record for the 27-year-old. The match was his 12th start of the season and United have won all bar one of those games – the sole draw coming in the Camp Nou – and prolongs a run of 22 United wins from Park's 24 starts over the last two campaigns. The midfielder has no doubt what made the difference against Barça, adding: "The atmosphere was incredible. I've never seen or heard anything like it. The fans gave me extra power. It's fantastic, difficult to put into words. It's amazing and I'm really looking forward to playing in the final."
'What a time'
After beating Barcelona United's players were quick to tell the press that a similar effort from the crowd would be required against West Ham, a match Chelsea will be watching with interest. Čech is desperate to ensure the west London club do not end the season without a trophy for the first time since 2003/04. "What a time is coming now," he said. "We hope to push United all the way in the league and of course at the big event in three weeks in Moscow. For the character and hard work we have put in, we deserve to get some fruit in the end – this might be the final or it could be the title again."
'Nothing changes'
Chelsea might be playing 48 hours after United this weekend but their goalkeeper believes they cannot afford to be distracted by events elsewhere. "We'll know exactly what's happened at the weekend and this could be an advantage or not. We'll know United's result against West Ham but nothing changes – we need to win both games. It's very exciting for everyone to see both English clubs competing for the title and now for the Champions League as well and I'm looking forward to it."
By Andrew Haslam
0 comments:
แสดงความคิดเห็น