Jose: We can still win title

The head coach is convinced his side can make up the six-point gap at the top of the table and overcome an inferior goal difference to catch them.

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Chelsea have only seven games left and even though one of them is against United, Sir Alex Ferguson's side will need a dramatic loss of form to throw away their lead.

But Mourinho said: "If we win the last seven matches, we can be champions. I keep telling the players to go all the way."

The Portuguese's mood is buoyant, even though he has still not healed his rift with owner Roman Abramovich and knows the Russian's continued boycott of the dressing room has been noted among his players.

The billionaire wore a broad smile in the stand at Vicarage Road but stayed away, even after Chelsea's last-gasp win when other key club figures put in appearances.

Mourinho said: "I didn't talk to Abramovich at Watford. I finished the game and came to the press conference. He was happy like everybody is happy."

A Salomon Kalou header won the game in stoppage time after United had thrashed Blackburn 4-1.

However, Ferguson's side lost key defender Nemanja Vidic to a dislocated shoulder at the weekend and Mourinho believes his players' character can see them through.

Chelsea have suffered a series of injury setbacks this season and last week found Arjen Robben would be out for four weeks because of a knee problem sustained with Holland. The Portuguese was upset about the impact the international break had on his squad.

He said: "Every player came back in bad condition. It is very difficult. Robben went, played two matches and I saw the second live on television. I spoke with some of them on the phone but the next day Robben came with the knee swollen. The doctor calls me and in two hours Robben was in the surgery room and out for four weeks.

"It is too much. He is unlucky and it is unbelievable. Everything happens to us and we can never play with our best team.

"When I had John Terry back I had Michael Essien missing, Joe Cole is training with the team today and we don't have Robben. This is our life."

Cole is unlikely to be fit to face Valencia in the Champions League quarter-final against Valencia on Wednesday but may be back against Tottenham next weekend.