Grant: Wigan will be tough for Reds

BEIJING, May 7 -- Chelsea's title hopes rest on former Manchester United captain Steve Bruce doing no favors for his ex-manager Alex Ferguson.

After all, he's helped the Scot once already this season.

Had Bruce's Wigan not grabbed a stoppage-time equalizer at Chelsea last month, Avram Grant's side would be going into Sunday's final round of matches two points clear. Instead, United makes the short trip to Wigan pegged level on points with Chelsea, which hosts Bolton. The Red Devils lead owing to their plus-17 goal difference and need only match their rival's score on Sunday to capture a 17th English title.

"They aren't in an easy position, but in the league they are in a better position because of the goal difference," Grant said after Monday's 2-0 victory at Newcastle. "Sometimes I'm too positive and too optimistic ... but it's not easy for them to play at Wigan. I don't believe that Bruce will give the game to Manchester United.

"For more than 30 years I've visited English football, at least five times a year since I was a boy. Even when I didn't have much money I came here. One thing I like that, unlike other countries, you play football until the end."

Wigan's league status has already been secured, so only pride is at stake for Bruce, a three-time league winner at Old Trafford.

"We have put pressure on United and now we hope Wigan are proud enough to give everything in the last game," Chelsea midfielder Michael Ballack said. "We saw the Man United game and I am sure they watched our game on TV.

"It was important to show them what we could do, not just as they are our opponents in the league, but in the Champions League. We proved we are a very strong team."

Wigan has held Liverpool and Arsenal to draws this season and United winger Ryan Giggs isn't taking victory for granted.

"It's in our hands, which is all you can ask for," the 34-year-old Welshman said. "It's going to be a tough game. Wigan have got some decent players. They showed that when they played Chelsea and got a draw."

Grant won't have much time to celebrate his 53rd birthday, which was yesterday, with his sights firmly fixed on wrestling the trophy off Ferguson before renewing its battle in the May 21 Champions League final.

"We will never give up and give Manchester United a good, good battle," said Grant, who fears a contentious refereeing decision could determine the trophy's destination. "I know nobody thought about us as candidates for championships, but now we are on the same points and only separated by goal difference."

(Source: Shanghai Daily/Agencies)