United's Ferguson out to smash Stamford Bridge record in final furlong of championship race

The meeting in west London between Chelsea and Manchester United has a little less lustre attached than it may have had but for a late goal that Avram Grant's team conceded in drawing with Wigan less than a fortnight ago.

When he opens the champagne to toast what should be a 10th Premier League title some time over the next fortnight, United manager Sir Alex Ferguson may wish to reserve one bottle for Emile Heskey.

It is the Wigan striker's goal that essentially sent United into today's game with just enough breathing space.

In essence, United can afford to lose today and still secure the title with wins in their final games at home to West Ham United and away to Wigan.

What Ferguson's team will not wish to do is concede psychological ground ahead of what could be the most important meeting of all time between these teams in Moscow next month.

Ferguson said: "You cannot go into the game thinking you have some leeway. The important thing is to maintain your form and consistency and to enjoy the occasion."

A win for United would serve two purposes. It would all but confirm them as champions, given that they already have a goal difference advantage of 18 over Chelsea.

And it would end Chelsea's 80-match unbeaten record at Stamford Bridge that goes back to a defeat by Arsenal in 2004.

What a mental blow that would be if the teams do edge through their Champions League semifinals in midweek — a point not lost on Ferguson.

"It's an unbelievable record and one that they should be proud of," he said. "But somewhere along the line someone is going to beat them. That happens.

"Hopefully, we can do that on this occasion. But it won't be easy, as their record shows you. They don't make it easy there for anyone."

United have not won at Stamford Bridge for six years. As Arsenal recently discovered, Chelsea can be very difficult to subdue in front of their own fans.

Grant's team, like Jose Mourinho's before him, may not play football to melt the heart, as United can do on occasions, but they do share their rivals' mental stubborness.

A goal down to Arsenal with halfan- hour left last month, and Chelsea won. A goal down to Liverpool at Anfield on Tuesday with 10 seconds left and they drew.

United know everything about such iron will, of course. Last week's late equaliser at Blackburn underlines the point.

This is what makes today's encounter — and perhaps another in Eastern Europe — so fascinating. There is more at stake today than merely three Premier League points.

Ferguson said: "We could achieve quite a lot in the next few days. The incentives are all there and we have the players to do it. We have the squad to do it.

"We just have to make sure we are rested properly and prepared for the game. It is a big challenge for us, in more ways than one.

"The important thing first of all is to win the league. If we win this one we still have two games left, but there is no doubt that a positive result is a big help to us.

"And it would make life much more difficult for Chelsea. Ferguson has been irritated by the fact that Chelsea have had a day longer to prepare for this game and will have another extra 24 hours to ready themselves for Liverpool's visit on Wednesday.

"That, however, is the the luck of the Champions League draw. What concerns him more is the manner in which his team have struggled for results recently.

"While Chelsea will be galvanised by their efforts at Anfield, Ferguson will perhaps wonder what has happened to his team's passing ability since they dismantled Aston Villa at the end of last month.

"Well we certainly didn't play that well on Wednesday in Barcelona," he admitted.

"We have to recover our passing ability and be a bit better. That was one area that let us down, which was surprising because normally we are very good at that, as we showed in Rome in the quarter- final. But we will get back to that at Chelsea. We'll be all right."

United remained in Spain after the 0-0 draw at the Nou Camp and then flew directly to London on Thursday evening.

The champions expect defender Nemanja Vidic to return after stomach problems and they will make other changes as they seek to strike a balance between getting a result today and readying players for Tuesday's return with Barcelona at Old Trafford.

This fixture could not have been better timed for the public. For the players, it is less than ideal.