Moyes: Title race over for Blues April 16 2008
Everton manager David Moyes is convinced Chelsea's Premier League challenge is over ahead of Thursday night's meeting at Goodison Park.
Avram Grant's men face their second game in four days and sit five points behind leaders Manchester United with just four games left.
Emile Heskey's last-ditch equaliser for Wigan at Stamford Bridge on Monday effectively ended the title race even though the Blues still have to host United at Stamford Bridge.
If they beat the Toffees, the gap will be cut to just two points, and then if they triumph over United, the west Londoners still have a slim chance of claiming the crown.
Moyes though is confident the trophy will stay at Old Trafford for another season but did feel sympathy for the criticism Grant has received following the Wigan result.
"Chelsea will not win the title. Manchester United will do that now," Moyes said.
"I believe it is United's championship. It would need them to make a real mess of things for that not to happen.
"Chelsea have pushed them hard, but it is United's to throw away now.
"Avram Grant has done a good, steady job. They have a very good squad, you cannot tell who they will play because they can change the team around.
"It is very hard to overhaul Manchester United, they have been doing it at the top for years and years - they are used to it.
"For a new manager to come in and achieve that sort of success in one swoop is not easy."
The Scot believes both clubs are now intent on holding on to what they have already achieved and realistically that means the UEFA Cup rather than Champions League football for Everton next season.
Liverpool's win at home to Blackburn and the Toffees' draw at Birmingham leaves Moyes' charges five points behind their neighbours.
Moyes, who has only slim hopes that midfielders Mikel Arteta and Leon Osman will recover from groin and ankle injuries in time for Thursday's game, said: "Our focus is to make sure we secure a European place.
" It will be tight and these next four games will all be very difficult. We need to concentrate on holding onto what we have already got.
"I also feel that it will be hard for us to make fourth now. So in lots of ways the importance of the game has gone really for both clubs.
"Chelsea will not want to be caught by anyone behind them, and we feel the same way to make sure those chasing us do not succeed.
"We are playing for one UEFA Cup spot now. Aston Villa and Portsmouth are not far behind us and we have to keep it that way."