Sat, Apr 29, 2006 - Page 20 News List

Red Devils hope to retard Blues party with victory today

AP , LONDON

Wayne Rooney is out to put Chelsea's title celebrations on hold for a few more days.

Chelsea needs just a point from three games to capture its second title in a row and it's an achievement which has seemed inevitable since virtually the start of the season.

Jose Mourinho's team won its first nine Premier League games and has never looked like being caught. Even when Manchester United trimmed an 18-point lead to seven, it was too close to the end of the season for Mourinho to get worried.

At least the Red Devils can make the Blues wait a little longer by becoming the first visitor to post a league victory at Stamford Bridge in 43 games, since Arsenal's 2-1 victory on Feb. 21, 2004.

"We want to go there and win," said Manchester United's England striker, Wayne Rooney. "It would be devastating if we only get a draw and they're celebrating around us."

A Manchester United victory today would leave Chelsea in need of a point from its final two games at Blackburn on Tuesday and Newcastle the following Sunday.

But the Blues would want to finish the job at home and make up for losing to Liverpool in last weekend's FA Cup semifinal.

"We could not get going against Liverpool and we take collective responsibility for that," said Chelsea midfielder Joe Cole, who missed an easy injury time chance to equalize.

"The main thing is that we didn't win the game and we have got to look forward now and hopefully win the league. We want to win the Premiership and make it back-to-back titles, which will make it a fantastic season because Chelsea have never done that before. It will make it another great achievement," Cole said.

"There is always improvement to be made. Retaining the title is a lot harder to do than winning it the first time. Let's put that to bed and it will have been another great season."

The loss to Liverpool at Manchester United's Old Trafford wrecked Chelsea's dream of a first ever league and cup double.

But Rooney admits that Mourinho's team has become the most consistent side around if not the most attractive.

"Chelsea, over the last two years, have been consistently good," he said. "They've raised a notch and we have to do that ourselves and try to get back above them.

"Over the last four or five months we've played really well, and we want to continue that into the start of next season and hopefully we'll be a lot closer."

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