With goal difference poised to deny Chelsea the chance of winning a third Premier League in four years, Avram Grant yesterday argued that the title should be decided by a play-off match.
Grant believes points should be the ultimate judge of a club's performance over a season and thinks that, if two teams finish level at the top of the league, then goal difference should be irrelevant.
"You play a play-off if you're level and it is decided on that," he said. "If you have the same points, you are at the same level. Sometimes, you score more goals against the weakest teams."
Victories tomorrow would see both clubs finishing on 87 points, yet Manchester United's advantage of 17 goals cannot realistically be overcome. Grant's suggestion of a rule change may indicate an acceptance that the title is probably beyond Chelsea's reach, but it also contained a clear message of confidence about his team's form. Chelsea have beaten Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester United in recent weeks and, according to Grant, they are playing superior football to Sir Alex Ferguson's team.
The managerial mind games apply as much to the Champions League final as to tomorrow and, having been told of Ferguson's remarks about Bolton players celebrating Premier League survival, Grant smiled before delivering his riposte.
"Alex is from the Mossad [the Israeli secret intelligence service] but nobody believes me - he knows everything," he said. "I don't think he knows what's happening at Bolton, unless he wants to be manager there."
Whether Ferguson appreciates the joke remains to be seen, but there is little doubt that his long-standing friendship with Grant will have been strained by the recent rivalry. Grant did, however, strike a conciliatory note. "We know Alex," he said. "I like him, I respect him, but I know why he says things sometimes. I promised him an Israeli wine and we're going to drink it before the final in Moscow."
While Ferguson was concerned that Bolton should play flat out against Chelsea, Grant had a similar message for Wigan.
"Wigan haven't lost since January at home, they played fantastic against us, everybody's watching, so I think they will do their best," he said. "The pitch will be ready, everything will be ready. They've fought hard at home, drew with Arsenal, fought against us into the last moment. It is not easy against them."
Chelsea are without Nicolas Anelka tomorrow following an agreement with Bolton that was part of his initial loan move.
