Chelsea boss Ancelotti says Ballack was right to criticise Arsene Wenger

Published: 10 Feb 2010 - 01:38:09

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Chelsea boss Ancelotti says Ballack was right to criticise Arsene Wenger

Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti has backed Michael Ballack following his criticism of Arsenal and claimed the title race is now down to a clash of the titans after all but ruling out Arsene Wenger's side. Ballack hit back at Wenger's claim that Chelsea did not give a demonstration of football in their 2-0 win on Sunday, although the Arsenal manager is adamant his words were taken out of context. But Ancelotti insisted Ballack was within his rights to say that Arsenal's style of play was predictable and that 'football is not possession of the ball, football is about winning games'. 'Football is about winning games!' Ballack's message to Gunners boss Wenger 'Ballack said good things because we prepared very well the game anddid what we wanted to do on the pitch, nothing else,' said Ancelotti. 'I heard that Wenger said about our fouls in the game but we did the same as Arsenal. Confident: Wenger reckons Arsenal can prove the doubters wrong 'Usually we keep control by possession but it was not necessary inthat game. Sometimes possession is very dangerous against a team thatplays on counter-attack. We did that very well.' Ancelotti went on to question whether Arsenal have what it takes tostay in touch with Chelsea and Manchester United and claimed a battlebetween the usual suspects will be good for the game. 'We have to get the same points as United to the end of theseason,' said Ancelotti. 'I don't know if Arsenal can get more (thanus). 'This is very good thing to have this race against ManchesterUnited. They're fantastic team. It will be a fantastic thing forEnglish football to have two teams battling to the end of the season.' Ancelotti is acutely aware of Chelsea need to match United stridefor stride now that Sir Alex Ferguson's side have embarked on theircustomary post Christmas burst. Speaking ahead of tonight's clash against Everton, Ancelottisaid:'We have to control our job. Our job says we have to do the bestto win the game. 'I'm not interested in what Manchester United do at Villa. It willbe a difficult game for them but our job is to try to beat Everton andnothing else. If we win and stay two points ahead it's good for us.' Support for JT: Ancelotti says Terry will start Wednesday's clash against Everton Ancelotti confirmed John Terry, who has been stripped of theEngland captaincy by Fabio Capello after a swathe of publicity abouthis off the field activities, will start against Everton despitepicking up a thigh problem at the weekend. But the Italian conceded he is prepared to give Terry compassionateleave for Chelsea's FA Cup fifth round meeting with Cardiff on Saturday. Asked whether he would grant Terry time off to be with his wife,Toni, who is currently in Dubai, Ancelotti replied: 'I'm totallysupportive of him. We will take the decision together because we wantto respect the FA Cup. Terry is one of the most important players inthis team but we have other fantastic defenders so he is notindispensable.' Brazilian wonderkid Zezinho snubs Arsenal switch in favour of SantosWenger vows to prove critics wrong after stinging attack from BallackAndrey Arshavin tells his team-mates Arsenal can kiss goodbye to the title if we lose against Liverpool CHELSEA FC