Carlo Ancelotti's a dead man walking

Chelsea went into yesterday's crunch game knowing a win would put them ahead of their rivals at the top of the table on goal difference with two games to go but conceded after just 36 seconds and were very fortunate not to lose by a much bigger margin.

United now only need a point from their remaining two games - at Blackburn and at home to Blackpool - to clinch their 19th League title.

Chelsea coach Carlo Ancelotti now appears resigned to the sack. The Italian will have a meeting with owner Roman Abramovich in two weeks' time and is expected to receive £6million in compensation for the year remaining on his contract.

Ancelotti insisted after the match that the defeat did not affect his position but his fate was probably already sealed after Chelsea lost to United in the Champions League.

The Blues looked sluggish yesterday and skipper Terry revealed he did not know why the team failed to perform.Asked if Chelsea warranted anything more from the game, he said: "No, I don't think so, especially not the first half. We came here praying we'd start well but the roles were completely reversed, they had a great start with the early goal and it settled them.

"I'm not sure [why we didn't turn up]. The lads were fully prepared. It is one of those things and was a disappointing day. Going back two months, we would have taken being in the position where we felt it was in our own hands and we could come here and win the game.

"Sometimes you have to hold your hands up. We didn't deserve anything from the game at all in the first half. In the second we had nothing to lose, went for it and dominated.

"It would have been interesting if we'd got that second goal and got it back on level terms."

Ancelotti revealed he will have talks with Abramovich after the final game against Everton on May 22.

The Italian, who won the Double last year, remains adamant he wants to remain at Stamford Bridge but said: "I would like to stay but it is the decision of the club. The club will take a decision at the end of the season, we have two more games and we wait and see.

"We will arrange a meeting after the end of the season. I don't know what the owner thinks about the season but in my opinion we could have done better.

"I am honest to say that Chelsea didn't do their best this season but sometimes that can happen."

Meanwhile, the Football Association are unlikely to take any action against Wayne Rooney after the United striker appeared to make an obscene gesture toward Chelsea supporters during the first half.