Ancelotti Puts Faith In Attack

Carlo Ancelotti insists that Chelsea's brand of attacking football can sweep them to the Premier League title.

Chelsea goes to Manchester United next weekend brimming with confidence after destroying Aston Villa 7-1 at Stamford Bridge.

Four goals from Frank Lampard, two from Florent Malouda and another from substitute Salomon Kalou, gave Chelsea their second seven-goal haul of the season at Stamford Bridge.

Villa's in-form striker John Carew had briefly stunned the Blues with a 29th-minute equaliser but Chelsea were back in front before the interval and then slammed another five past stunned Villa in second-half.

It took their goal tally to 82 for the season and 12 in their past two outings since shaking off their Champions League exit to Inter Milan and a disappointing draw at Blackburn.

Chelsea face United at Old Trafford next week knowing victory will put them two points clear of their rivals at the top of the table.

The Blues briefly went back to the summit with victory over Villa but United's 4-0 win over Bolton restored their one-point advantage.

Now the Chelsea coach believes they have found the key that can land them the title in his first season at the club.

"When we play our best attacking football, we are able to overcome any defence," said Ancelotti.

"It is important that we play our best football until the end of the season in the Premier League and the FA Cup.

"We can make this a fantastic season if we finish in the right way."

Since Chelsea's defeat by Inter in Europe and their disappointing 1-1 draw at Blackburn last Sunday, the Blues have swept aside Portsmouth 5-0 at Fratton Park and Villa, their FA Cup semi-final opponents, 7-1.

Chelsea have switched back to a more familiar 4-3-3 formation and the change has given them renewed belief they can win the title with goals galore.

"We always want to play attacking football and this is how we started on Wednesday against Portsmouth, with an attacking team, which is why we are now the top scoring team in the Premier League," added the Italian.

"I think we have shown that we have the mentality to recover well and the players performed how I would have liked us to."

The architect of Villa's downfall was 31-year-old Lampard. He opened the scoring and went on to hit four - two of them from the penalty spot as he reached 151 goals since joining from West Ham in 2001.

The quartet made him the club's third highest goalscorer in its history - overtaking legends Roy Bentley and Peter Osgood - and the midfielder was understandably delighted with his achievement.

"I'm very proud," declared Lampard. "I've passed Peter Osgood, I took a few more games, but I'm very honoured to be among those sort of names."

The Chelsea midfielder now believes they have silenced the critics who were ready to write off their title challenge and he insists they will go to Old Trafford with no fear.

"People will write us off, it is very easy to write us off from the outside," added Lampard. "But all we can do is play football. We have put it right in the last two games but we know there are big games are to come, particularly next week.

"We will look at that game with confidence. We understand the importance of it and United will understand that as well. We have to prepare right for it. It is nice to go into the game with confidence and out of that little rut we've been in. Our passing and movement against Villa was fantastic - it was great football and that is when we are at our best."

Lampard Targets United Clash

Frank Lampard has set his sights on Chelsea's title showdown with Manchester United after the Blues demolished Aston Villa.

Lampard scored four times in the 7-1 romp at Stamford Bridge to set up an enthralling clash at Old Trafford on Easter Saturday.

The Red Devils still hold a one-point advantage over their rivals following their 4-0 win at Bolton, while Arsenal have slipped four points behind the leaders after being held 1-1 at Birmingham.

Chelsea enjoyed a 1-0 success over Sir Alex Ferguson's reigning champions on home turf back in November and Lampard feels that triumph, coupled with their victories this season over the Gunners and Liverpool, proves they can claim top spot.

Lampard told reporters: "We know the quality of the players we have, we've shown that over the course of the season.

"We've beaten Manchester United, Liverpool and Arsenal playing different formations.

"Now we have to focus on what we have to do - we look forward to going to Old Trafford."

Lampard felt obliged to make peace with the West London club's fans after their UEFA Champions League exit and the disappointments of the shock home defeat by Manchester City and recent draw at Blackburn.

The England midfielder, who has now hit at least 20 goals in six successive seasons and has moved up to third in Chelsea's all-time scorers list, believed the rout of top-four hopefuls Villa was one of their finest he has been involved in.

He added: "We've had a few poor performances recently and we have to apologise to the fans for that.

"But hopefully this makes up for those and now we can concentrate on what we know we have to do because if we win all our remaining matches, we will be champions.

"We have to forget the little rut we have had and concentrate on the target.

"It's up there with our best performances. There was a 6-0 against Manchester City and then a 2-0 against Villa last season, when it could have been six or seven.

"This is right up there because we were playing a very good team. They've got good players throughout their team so when you do that to them, well, you can't say enough about the performance."

Chelsea With Take On Manchester United With ‘Utmost Confidence’ - Ray Wilkins

Chelsea assistant manager Ray Wilkins has admitted the Blues will take on Premier League title rivals Manchester United full of confidence after thrashing Aston Villa 7-1 at Stamford Bridge.

Carlo Ancelotti’s men gave their title hopes, and their goal difference, a significant boost following Saturday’s demolition of Villa, however United’s 4-0 victory over Bolton Wanderers means the champions remain top of the table by a point.

Next weekend sees the Blues head to Old Trafford in a match which could go a long way to deciding the Premier League title and Wilkins admits the west Londoners are up for the challenge.

“We will go to Manchester United with the utmost confidence because we are playing good football, defending well and attacking with pace and power," Wilkins told Press Association Sport.

"We are looking a good side again.

"I am not sure what message it [beating Aston Villa 7-1] sends out, but as far as we are concerned in the camp, we are delighted with the way things are going.”

The 53-year-old also conceded he believed the title race could still be decided on the final day of the season and predicted more twists and turns to come.

"We are playing some very good football and the work ethic is absolutely top draw,” he added.

"We have a group of winners. The goal difference is in our favour but I still think there are many more twists and turns to come and I think it will go to the wire.

"The guys were first class. They played some lovely football and scored some very good goals and their work ethic was first class.

"The winning is the most important part but is always nice to score lots of goals."

Chelsea saw Frank Lampard hit four against their FA Cup semi-final opponents, while Florent Malouda scored twice and Salomon Kalou completed the rout.

Chelsea Striker Didier Drogba Rules Out Marseille Return

Chelsea striker Didier Drogba has ruled out a return to Marseille despite constant speculation that he could again play for the club where he made his name.

The 32-year-old hitman spent a season at Marseille in 2003/2004 and scored 18 goals in 35 appearances for OM.

Drogba is widely quoted in France this morning following an interview with Orange Sport and the Ivorian striker says: "A return? Not likely... My name comes up often when it comes to boosting subscriptions. We must be realistic. I am not greedy financially, but I reached a certain level that I hope to keep."

He also backed Marseille to finish the season strongly after winning the French League Cup last night: "It could maybe start the latter part of their season and maybe they could go on and win the Championship."

In 2009/2010 Didier Drogba has scored 27 goals in 31 appearances for Carlo Ancelotti’s Chelsea side but he missed the 7-1 victory over Aston Villa on Saturday due to injury.

Fabulous Frank

Charlie Nicholas was full of praise for Frank Lampard after his four goals inspired Chelsea to a 7-1 rout of Aston Villa.

The England midfielder's quartet - two of which came from the penalty spot - will make the headlines but Nicholas, watching the game in the Soccer Saturday studio, insists Lampard's all-round display was excellent and helped Chelsea turn a potentially tricky match into a canter.

"Even at half-time when they (Chelsea) were 2-1 up, there was a lot of tension in the air. They didn't play brilliantly in the first half, Villa didn't do a lot wrong and if anything, I thought Villa were the slightly better team," Nicholas told Soccer Saturday.

"But Lampard dragged them out of the situation, and now that Ballack is not in there beside him you can see the freedom he's got.

"We spoke earlier about relieving the free space for people like Steven Gerrard, Lampard's the same type of intelligent footballer. He can see space, he works off people when they leave it for him and he's quick to pick it up.

"And I know he's got four goals today but his all-round performance, he was the guy that took them to the next level."

The Blues only led 2-1 at the interval and seemed set for a thorough test in the second period, but they ended up making light work of Villa and Nicholas says a large part of that was down to two-goal winger Florent Malouda.

"You did think that Chelsea might start to rock a little bit. The full-backs are still a problem, Peter Cech's back in goal but you can see he's needing a couple of games to get going.

"But when the second half started, Villa completely collapsed and Chelsea were ruthless.

"Malouda looks like a man refreshed. He's enjoying the system he works in, he's scoring a few goals but he's taking part in the game.

"He's not just staying rigid wide left, he's getting inside, he's scoring goals, he's looking the complete player again and he's bang in form.

"It's a big statement but of course next up is Manchester United away!" said Nicholas.

Europe-chasing Villa can get swift revenge over Chelsea in the sides' upcoming FA Cup semi-final, but Nicholas thinks that following the crushing defeat at Stamford Bridge, Martin O'Neill's men could embark upon a poor run.

"It just happens sometimes in football that over 45 minutes, things don't go right and the heads go down. And maybe there is that bit of mental fatigue where they just submit and accept it, but it was dismal and the toughest thing for Martin will be to pick them up."

"The Villa fans like a moan and a groan and I think they're away again next week so they can get it out of their system, but this will take a lot of coming back from," he added.

Chelsea And Spurs In Fight To Land African Starlet

Tottenham and Chelsea are competing for the new rising star of African football.

Nigerian striker Sani Emmanuel has had trials at Chelsea who were impressed by the 17 year-old.

But so were Tottenham, where the player voted the best player in tournament by FIFA in the world Under-17 championships in Nigeria earlier this season, was offered an extended stay.

Emmanuel plays for the My People football club in Nigeria and had a brief spell with Swedish club Bodens BK.

Tottenham appear to have the edge in the race to sign Emmanuel and rather than ask for a transfer fee, the My People club want a long-term relationship with the club Emmanuel joins.

It will mean trials for promising players and donations of kit and equipment.

Arizona Club Joins Chelsea U.S. Youth Soccer Network

Chelsea Football Club increases our partnerships with America's leading youth soccer clubs to seven with the announcement that Sereno Soccer Club of Phoenix joins our growing U.S. youth club network.

Chelsea FC chief executive Ron Gourlay said: 'Sereno Soccer Club has been developing soccer for more than 30 years in Arizona and this partnership will assist them in taking it to the next level and expanding their reach and impact on the game.

'Our youth club network is designed to create long-term growth and sustainability of soccer in America by supporting elite youth clubs that provide the best soccer instruction and experience for local players.'

Sereno director of coaching David Robertson expressed his enthusiasm for the partnership: 'We see this as a very positive step forward for our players and coaching staff. Getting access to the Chelsea FC Youth Academy programming and coaches will help us to ensure that our training programs are world class. We're also excited to give kids from all over the Valley access to Chelsea FC coaching through Sereno-Chelsea sponsored events, camps and clinics right here in Phoenix.'

Sereno SC is one of the leading soccer education and training organizations in the U.S. They are perennially ranked the no. 1 youth soccer club in Arizona. Over the past 30 years, the club has produced 46 Arizona State champion boys teams, 80 Arizona State champion girls teams, nine regional champions, three national finalists and one national champion.

Chelsea's U.S. youth club network supports the development of soccer in America and Sereno Soccer Club will learn the Chelsea FC coaching philosophy and curriculum, host training sessions and camps with Chelsea coaches, benefit from Chelsea-sponsored tournaments and participate in player exchange programs.

Chelsea announced our first youth soccer club partnership with CASL of North Carolina in July 2008. Other Chelsea U.S. youth club partners include Match Fit Chelsea of New Jersey, LAFC Chelsea of Los Angeles, the Baltimore Bays, the Le Jardin Academy based in Hawaii and Solar Soccer Club of Dallas.

Chelsea Expands U.S. Youth Soccer Partnership To Dallas

Coinciding with the Chelsea Academy's visit to the United States to play in the Dallas Cup this week, Chelsea Football Club has announced a partnership with Solar Soccer Club of Dallas, one of America's leading youth soccer clubs.

As part of the Chelsea youth club network, Solar Soccer Club will learn the Chelsea FC coaching philosophy and curriculum, host training sessions and camps with Chelsea coaches, benefit from Chelsea-sponsored tournaments and participate in player exchange programs.

Chelsea FC chief executive Ron Gourlay said: 'Our youth club network is designed to create long-term growth and sustainability of soccer in America by supporting elite youth clubs that provide the best soccer instruction and experience for local players.

'Dallas is a great sports city in America and the growth of soccer there at both the youth and professional level is significant. Partnering with Solar allows us to continue to help the development of soccer in Texas by staying closely connected to the community through a top club. Solar's mission of Soccer Excellence Through Development is perfectly aligned with our youth club network goals.'

Solar director of coaching Kevin Smith expressed his excitement: 'This is a big deal for our club and for youth soccer in the Dallas area.Chelsea is very selective in clubs they ask to join their network so for us to be on board further proves that Solar is among the elite clubs in the country. Using Chelsea FC's training curriculum and having their coaches involved with our kids will take our club to the next level. It's an exciting time for us.'

With more than 30 years in developing top soccer players in the Dallas area, Solar SC is proven to be a benchmark of elite soccer programs in the U.S.Solar SC alumni include a number of current professional players such as Corben Bone (Chicago Fire), Drew Moor (Colorado Rapids), Kenny Cooper (Plymouth Argyle) and more.

Chelsea announced our first youth soccer club partnership with CASL of North Carolina in July 2008. Other Chelsea U.S. youth club partners include Match Fit Chelsea of New Jersey, LAFC Chelsea of Los Angeles, the Baltimore Bays, Le Jardin Academy based in Hawaii and Soreno Soccer Club of Phoenix.