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Ancelotti in the dark as Pardew plays down Drogba talk

Steven Taylor denied Chelsea at the death © Getty Images

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Carlo Ancelotti continued to maintain his Chelsea fate was not sealed after what looks set to be his final home game in charge against Newcastle.

The Blues relinquished the Premier League title when Manchester United drew with Blackburn on Saturday, and they failed to give their fans something to smile about by drawing 2-2 with Newcastle 24 hours later.

"I don't know what will happen,'' Ancelotti said. "We have to wait just one week. A week is not a long period. You are asking me a question I'm not able to answer. You have to propose this question to the club, not myself. I cannot give an answer.''

Billionaire owner Roman Abramovich did not look impressed as he watched on from the Stamford Bridge directors' box, and it is the Russian who will ultimately decide his manager's fate.

Ancelotti said: "It is the club that has to take a decision and judge my job. If my job was good, I will stay. If they think it was not good, I will have to go. In my opinion, sometimes I did a good job, sometimes I could do better.''

Although the stadium was more than half empty by the time Chelsea's lap of honour took place, those remaining were appreciative of the team's efforts at the end of what is the club's worst season of the Abramovich era.

"I want to say thanks to our supporters,'' said Ancelotti. "Today, also, they gave me fantastic support. For all this season, even when the moment was not so good, they stayed close to the team and to the players. My emotion? I don't know what happens and I want to wait. After that I can explain.''

Ancelotti admitted Chelsea's performance summed up their season as they twice threw away the lead. Jonas Gutierrez inadvertently cancelled out Branislav Ivanovic's opener and Steven Taylor netted at the death after Alex looked to have grabbed the winner.

Ancelotti said: "We started the game well, playing well and scoring, and were unlucky to concede. We had a lot of difficulties but scored again. We needed more concentration at the end. We've conceded in the last minute a lot of times this season. We've lost a lot of points that way. When you concede a lot of goals in the last minute, something is wrong.''

Opposite number Alan Pardew also made changes with a view to next season and, in contrast, everyone he brought in did Newcastle proud. Ryan Taylor's free-kick set up the first equaliser, Shane Ferguson shone throughout, and substitute Nile Ranger laid on the second leveller.

Pardew said: "It was one of the most enjoyable goals I can think of. When you get a performance and young players entering the field of play, at this club, it gives them a great start. They deserved it today. Ferguson, [Kazenga] LuaLua, [Sam] Ameobi who came on, Ryan Taylor playing out of position. I was thrilled with some of the younger players' performances. It was a just result.''

Pardew insisted that did not mean Newcastle would not try to lure "one or two big players'' to the club this summer. The Magpies boss notably shook hands with Didier Drogba as the striker prepared to come off the bench today.

Pardew said: "I'm a big fan of Didier's. I don't think I'll entice him to the north-east. I think it's a bit cold for Didier at this stage of his career. Foreign players come to these shores and some set the example for others to follow.

"He's done that at Chelsea, and he'll probably continue to do that for one or two years still.''

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.