Ancelotti unfazed by Ferguson's mind games

Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti insists he won't let Alex Ferguson's mind games distract his side from pressing home their advantage in the Premier League title race.

The Blues can go four points clear at the top of the table with a win over Bolton at Stamford Bridge tonight and Manchester United manager Ferguson believes the match represents an "easy" fixture for Ancelotti's team.

Ferguson also admitted Chelsea are firm favourites to win the title in the aftermath of his side's 0-0 draw at Blackburn on Sunday - a result that left the champions one point behind the leaders having played a game more.

But Ancelotti laughed off Ferguson's comments as a mischievous attempt to put the pressure on Chelsea going into their final five matches of the season.

"I hope that Alex is correct (that it is an easy match)," Ancelotti said.

"Maybe before you can say it will be easy, but I haven't had an easy game this season. Blackburn drew against United and that was a good result for us, but only if we win on Tuesday (today).

"No matches are easy, even if you go out and score a lot of goals in the game itself. No, it's mind games. Ferguson is clever."

However, much Ferguson tries to influence events, it is clear Chelsea hold the destiny of the title in their hands.

If the west London team can win their remaining fixtures, they will win the English crown for the first time since 2006. They could also clinch a first ever league and FA Cup double if they beat already-relegated Portsmouth in the FA Cup final on May 15.

But Ancelotti has seen his team slip several times this season when they have seemed to be cruising and he has warned them to guard against complacency.

"The title is in our hands. If we are able to do our best, to maintain this level, we can win it," Ancelotti said.

"We are excited because we are involved in the most important competitions in England. We have real possibilities to win them, but we know also that there are a lot of games.

"Five games are not too much, but they are important."

Next fixtures

Today: 21.00 Chelsea vs Bolton.

Tomorrow: 20.45 Aston Villa vs Everton; Wigan vs Portsmouth. 21.00 Tottenham vs Arsenal.