Carlo learning from United's mistake

21 August 2009 15:54
Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti has admitted seeing Manchester United slip-up at Burnley has given him additional insight into the Premier League. The Reds Devils had been expected to romp home over the newly-promoted outfit at Turf Moor, but succumbed to a 1-0 defeat thanks to Robbie Blake's strike. Ancelotti still believes Sir Alex Ferguson's champions will be there or thereabouts come the end of the season when the title will be won and lost. Although Chelsea have come from behind to beat both Hull City and Sunderland he concedes there are no easy matches in England's top flight. "It is normal at the start of the season to have a special result like Burnley because some teams are not in the best condition," said Ancelotti. "Burnley had an unbelievable result. I saw the game and they worked very hard and were very strong. "The fans went crazy after the match. I have learned in three matches that it is very difficult in every game in England. "To play away from home is not easy. The season is very long and such a result can happen to us. We don't think about other problems though, we are concentrating on our work. "I think Manchester United will be a very big opponent for us in the season. Their play has not changed, they play the same way. "But to be at the top of the list of the championship is not bad. It is better to stay at the top than be down." London rivals Fulham are next on Chelsea's fixture list and the ex-AC Milan boss Ancelotti knows a thing or two about big-city derbies. The Cottagers will be without first-choice striker Andy Johnson, but the Italian is still expecting a stern test from Roy Hodgson's men. "I know very well how to prepare for 'derby' games," Ancelotti. "They are particular games, they are not normal. "I saw Fulham on Thursday night. I know Roy Hodgson very well because he trained in Italy. He likes to have a very good defensive organisation. His team played very well. "It was not a good moment because the Russian player did a bad piece of play. I am very sorry for that because Johnson is a very good player. If he is not on the pitch against us it is not good. "Roy has a very good reputation in Italy because he worked very well there. I know him because when he trained the national team of Switzerland and I stayed with him for a week to study his training. "Sunday's match will be more difficult than our game at Sunderland but we want to continue and, if possible, to improve. "I don't know what kind of match it will be. We want to play like we did at Sunderland. We want to take control of the game and to show our quality on the pitch."

Source: SKY_Sports