John Terry: Chelsea will be 'full of belief' in title-deciding clash with Manchester United at Old Trafford

John Terry: Chelsea will be 'full of belief' in title-deciding clash with Manchester United at Old Trafford

John Terry has admitted he became an Arsenal supporter during Manchester United's 1-0 defeat at the Emirates, and promises that Chelsea will visit Old Trafford next weekend in the belief that they can still retain the title

Final push: John Terry celebrates Chelsea's controversial win over Spurs on Saturday Photo: Reuters

By Telegraph staff 10:14AM BST 02 May 2011

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Trailing United 1-0 at Stamford Bridge on March 1, Chelsea were facing the prospect of falling 18 points behind the Premier League leaders. But David Luiz's equaliser and Frank Lampard's late penalty gave the champions a victory which signalled the beginning of a remarkable winning run.

Chelsea have picked up 25 points from the last 27 to close in on United, who picked up just 13 points from a possible 21 over the same period, and on Sunday Chelsea will travel to Old Trafford on Sunday knowing victory would put them back on top of the table with just two games remaining.

Since the victory at Stamford Bridge, Terry insists, Chelsea have never thought the title was out of their hands.

"There have been times when they were running away with it," he said.

"If we had lost that they would have been 18 points ahead of us which would have put them out of sight. We've never allowed ourselves to stop believing we could come back and United know we will never give up.

"I always believed. Through the season, you have good spells, some not so good spells and some bad patches as well. There was no doubt we'd have a bad one and it was about coming out of that as soon as we could.

"It took us a few weeks to do that but, once we did, we've shown a turn of form at the right time. All we could do was keep winning and putting the pressure on."

Terry admitted being "an Arsenal fan for 90 minutes" yesterday as United lost 1-0 at the Emirates Stadium, a result which gave Chelsea a final shot at reclaiming the title.

And now – after Arsenal beat the league leaders and Chelsea overcame Spurs – Terry believes United are the side under pressure.

"We go there really fresh, full squad of players and full of belief," he said. "As we showed last year by going to Old Trafford and winning a decisive game in the Premier League, there's no reason why we can't go there and win again."

Since their win in the Premier League Chelsea were beaten over two legs by United, who won 3-1 on aggregate with victories in both London and Manchester, but a crucial 2-1 away win last April gives Chelsea hope of victory.

"They know we're certainly capable of going there and getting a result. The manager's done the right job, kept the players hungry, and all the supporters have been like that as well – they've never let us give up and think it was over.

"There's no bigger spur than going to Old Trafford and winning to put ourselves right in the frame for bringing the Premier League trophy back to the Bridge.

"At the end of it, regardless of whether it is Man United or whoever in front of us, it is that trophy we want.

"It's the feeling that will drive us on."

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