We Won And Played Well - Grant

Chelsea manager Avram Grant was satisfied with his side's performance and result against Manchester City this afternoon...

Chelsea took the lead when Richard Dunne was forced to put the ball into his own net, and Salomon Kalou (pictured) finished off the home side shortly after half-time with a well-taken goal.

The Blues are now just two points behind Manchester United, who play tomorrow and may extend the lead back to five.

"We knew it wasn't going to be an easy game against Manchester City, especially against a manager like Sven (Goran Eriksson), who is very clever," said Grant after the game.

"But we won the game and we played well, especially in the second half, so we're happy.

"I think we started the game very well. We scored the goal and we had some very good attacks with only the last pass missing.

"After 15-20 minutes, Manchester City responded well and got back into the game, but second half we were the better team and deserved more goals."

Indeed City could and perhaps should have equalised in the first half and were made to pay for it at the start of second, which Chelsea dominated as they did the opening stages of the game.

Grant praised the side's resolute defending after the game: "We know how to play football but sometimes we're not concentrating in defence.

"When you speak about attacking football, sometimes that is the price for it. I'm happy that it's not happened to us many times this season, and in this game also.

"We played very well in the second half, could easily have scored more goals, and a win is a win."

With his side still in the title race, Grant is not too fussed regarding the psychological edge of going first or second on a weekend such as this. Manchester United visit Middlesbrough tomorrow and Grant is happy he has done his part and the pressure is now on the Red Devils.

"If you win it's good, if you don't then it's not good," said Grant. "I've spent all my life fighting for titles and some psychologists will say it's good to play first, and some not. But it's always good to win and then the pressure is on the other team."

Chet Winter