• Premier League

Title now 'very difficult' - Ancelotti

Jonathan Walters fired Stoke ahead at the Britannia © PA Photos

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Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti accepts the 1-1 draw at Stoke has made defending their Premier League crown hard after Manchester United won at West Ham.

"We did our best. It was a good result because Stoke had opportunities,'' said Ancelotti. "They could have won, we could have won. It was exciting. We have to continue to do our best. The gap (to United) was not easy before this game and now it is more difficult but we have to think game by game.

"We didn't think about this (the gap) before this game and we don't have to think about it after this game. The gap is more open now but we have to play our game. It is not about Manchester United. I think it is very difficult (to win league) - we said that before the game.''

Ancelotti felt a draw was a fair result, even if it was not the correct one for his side.

"It was a really tough game. Both teams could have won,'' he added. "We had a good reaction after we conceded a goal and the game was in balance. We are not so happy for the result but it was the right one for this game.''

Stoke boss Tony Pulis was pleased with his side's performance against a team he rates highly.

"It was a great start and Jon scored a great goal but we sat back and gave them the impetus and in the last 20 minutes of the first half they showed what a great team they are,'' he said. "We had too many players after we scored sitting back and watching them pass it around.

"In the second half we pushed on to them with better quality balls up to Kenwyne Jones and got more bodies up there and it made for an entertaining game. We had the chances to win it but Chelsea are a great side with great players and you have to give them credit.

"They have a massive Champions League game against Manchester United on Wednesday and I thought their attitude was first class. You have to give them and their manager full credit because that was a tough game for us.''

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