Chelsea keeper Petr Cech claims Premier League title race is still on despite draw against Wigan

My Account
Logout

Create an Evening Standard Account

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Welcome! Sign in here

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Forgot your password ?

Registration

* indicates fields that are mandatory

Email *

Password *

Confirm Password *

First name *

Surname *

Postcode *

Country *

Mobile phone number

Username *

Gender *

Year of birth *

When you sign up...

You will have access to all our online competitions, discounted offers and can post comments on our site.

You will also receive The Weekender newsletter sent every Thursday - it’s full of fantastic offers and ideas for the weekend. You can update your email preferences in your account page when you log in.

Other newsletters and emails

Homes & Property Newsletter - Yes I want to receive the weekly email with all the latest news on property in the capital

Occasionally we would also like to send you relevant emails detailing specific offers either from ourselves or carefully selected partners. If you would prefer not to receive these then please tick the appropriate boxes below. We will never pass on your details.

I do not want to receive additional offers and information from the Evening Standard

I do not want to receive additional offers and information sent by Evening Standard on behalf of carefully selected partners

Terms and Conditions

* I have read, understood and agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of Evening Standard

Registration

Mail Sent for Registration Confirmation.

A confirmation email has been sent. Please activate your account by clicking on the activation link sent in your mail box.

Avram Grant's side suffered a major blow to their title hopes after Wigan striker Emile Heskey scored in injury-time to secure a 1-1 draw last night and leave them five points behind the leaders with four games to go.

The result means United can afford to lose to Chelsea in 11 days and draw one other game and still be crowned champions next month.

Scroll down for more

Falling down? Prostrate Petr Cech and Wayne Bridge can only look on in horror as Emile Heskey's injury-time equaliser puts a serious dent into Chelsea's Premier League title ambitions

Strapped in: Petr Cech wore a mask over his injured face as well as his protective cap

But Cech said: "We're not throwing the towel in yet. We have a difficult game at Everton on Thursday, but if we beat them we cut the gap to two and then Manchester United have to come to Stamford Bridge.

"We need someone to do us a favour and beat United, but we have to make sure we win all our games to keep the pressure on.

"They were lucky against Arsenal so they can be unlucky against Blackburn and the other teams.

"The best thing about the Premier League is that all the teams have quality and there is always pressure because games aren't easy to win. As long as we keep fighting we'll have a chance."

Cech admitted Heskey's strike ruined his comeback, after having been out for six weeks with ankle and facial injuries.

Scroll down for more

Not letting go: Petr Cech is not giving up on Chelsea's hopes of winning the title

The 25-year-old wore a mask over his lip and chin to protect the horrific cut which required 50 stitches last week.

He added: "Talking still hurts, but it's even harder after that game.

"It was a bit of a risk for me to play because no-one knew what would happen if I'd got hit in the same place again.

"But I wanted to play and in the end I wore the protection on my face and it was good."

Chelsea's hopes of a crucial victory at Everton could also be hit by the loss of their two leading scorers, Didier Drogba and Frank Lampard.

The Ivory Coast striker was due to undergo a scan today to find out the extent of the knee injury which sidelined him last night.

Lampard was another absentee after leaving Stamford Bridge during the warm-up to be with his mother Pat, who was taken to hospital suffering from pneumonia.