Chelsea coach Hiddink believes EPL title race wide open

Chelsea coach believes EPL title race is wide open after Utd's loss at home

Chelsea coach believes EPL title race is wide open after Utd's loss at home

Guus Hiddink insisted the Englishu00a0Premier League title race is far from over after Chelsea narrowed the gap on leaders Manchester United to just four points.

STILL A LONG WAY TO GO: Chelsea manager Guus Hiddink. PIC/AFP

Hiddink's side responded to United's shock 4-1 home defeat to Liverpool by beating Manchester City courtesy of Michael Essien's first half goal.

While the Chelsea manager acknowledged that the advantage still lies with Sir Alex Ferguson's side, who have played a game less, he claimed the weekend's results could have a major impact on the eventual destiny of this year's championship.

Hiddink believes the decisive factor will be how United react to the shock of being humbled at Old Trafford by one of their fiercest rivals.

Hiddink said: "If it was just four points it would be very close, but they have that game in hand. But it's clear that after Saturday's unexpected result that the tension has come back in the league.

"It's a boost. But if we want to track them, we have to keep on winning. That'll give tension at the end of the season, which is good for everyone.

"Every now and then you get a defeat you don't expect. Sometimes you don't expect it at home because you have a beautiful record at home, then all of a sudden it happens. But they're a very experienced team.

Looking ahead
"Let's see how they react in the coming days. It's not the first time that it's happened, but the big teams always react.

"It depends on their calmness if it goes on. When you are in the driver's seat and someone else is coming, you can get a little bit nervous."

Essien's goal was the midfielder's second in two starts since he returned from the knee injury that has kept him out since March, underlining the belief that the Ghanaian will have a major role to play in the closing weeks of Chelsea's campaign.

"It was important for the team and the crowd that he came back after a long period of recovery," Hiddink added. "We played him at Juventus and he did a good job, not just by scoring... like today.

"Being in the team gives him and us a lot of confidence.u00a0 I knew he's very strong, and he gives a lot to the team as well. Tactically, it gives me options to play differently with other players as well."