Grant: We deserved to win April 28 2008
Chelsea manager Avram Grant is optimistic his side can win the Premier League title after their thrilling victory over leaders Manchester United at Stamford Bridge.
Two goals from Michael Ballack, the second from the penalty spot, hauled the Blues level on points with United at the top of the table, although the champions still have the edge due to their superior goal difference.
A blunder from defender Ricardo Carvalho looked to have gifted Sir Alex Ferguson's team a vital point when Wayne Rooney took full advantage of his stray pass to equalise in 55th minute.
But Ballack blasted a spot-kick winner after Michael Carrick handled inside the area and Grant now believes his charges can go on to win the title even though they are still relying on the Red Devils slipping up in either of their two remaining games.
The Israeli coach declared: "I am optimistic but we need to win our last two games and hope Manchester lose one point. If you come to this stage and you are not optimistic you should not be in sport.
"My players were very competitive. They wanted to win. When you concede a goal like we did it is a little bit disappointing but we were full of energy.
"They wanted to win the game and football is a game of emotion. We competed against Arsenal and against United.
"The game we lost at Arsenal was from a mistake and I don't want to take you back to the game at Old Trafford when the referee (Mike Dean) won the game not Man Utd (Chelsea had Mikel John Obi sent off).
"I hope for him it is not the result that will affect the title."
Reflecting on Saturday's vital clash, Grant added: "We did what we had to do. We deserved to win and more than 2-1.
"I am happy with the result and the way we did it. I enjoy winning games and I enjoyed the spirit and courage of the players today."
Ballack's first goal was followed by emotional celebrations as the Chelsea players held up a shirt in honour of Frank Lampard's mother Pat.
She had died on Thursday from pneumonia and Lampard was missing from the line-up against United as a result.
Grant does not know whether the influential midfielder will return for the second leg of their semi-final against Liverpool on Wednesday.
"The players have a lot of sympathy for Frank, you saw that after the first goal," he said. "We are a big, big family, the staff and the players and what has happened to Frank makes all of us very sad.
"We will leave the decision about Wednesday to him. I will respect any decision he makes.
"Football is exciting but there are things that are more important. I say to the players that on the way to excellency you need to be human, so I think we need to respect what has happened to him.
"Frank wants to play all the time. When I put him on the bench after many years of playing he didn't feel good with it. He wants to play but we need to respect his situation."