Having seen his side draw level with today's opponents Manchester United, Avram Grant has expressed his confidence that we can take the Premier League title.

Eight points behind a matter of weeks ago, we looked to be out of the race, but after beating Sir Alex Ferguson's men 2-1 at Stamford Bridge today, we are now neck and neck going into the final two games.

'I think now it's a matter of two games and I am optimistic, I have to be,' Grant began. 'I am confident always, I am manager of the team and have full confidence. We need to win these two games and hope Man United lose a point.'

We travel to Newcastle before entertaining Bolton on the final day of the season, May 11, while United face games against West Ham and Wigan.

Grant, enjoying reflecting on the 90 minutes that passed before, believes we were worthy of the three points.

'We did what we needed to do, played good and deserved to win the game I think more than 2-1, but we did it.

'If you come to this stage and are not optimistic you do not need to be in sports. You need to be very optimistic from game to game and also during the game, like we were today.

'The situation was not good, it was 1-1, we needed to win and United closed more and more.'

The Israeli praised his side's attacking verve that eventually earned the late penalty, which Michael Ballack converted.

'We did it from day one we were here, the defenders and midfielders have attacked, sometimes too much. Today Carvalho went forward, Essien went forward, Mikel went forward, sometimes you pay the price but it's good for the supporters,' he smiled.

One talking point from the game was Ballack's dispute with Didier Drogba over who would take a free-kick, while the scores were locked at 1-1. Rather than being upset with his feuding stars, Grant was impressed with their desire.

'I am very proud of my players - they are very competitive and wanted to win. It was 1-1 and you know when you conceded a goal like we did it was disappointing but they were full of energy, and it came from this they wanted to win the game.

'I am proud of them. Football is a game of emotion.'

There have been few truer words spoken, and this was evident at Stamford Bridge today, with our players wearing black armbands in respect to Pat Lampard, Frank's mother who sadly passed away this week.

The midfielder has been granted compassionate leave, and Grant reiterated that he will not be rushed back.

'We all have sympathy for Frank, you saw the players after the first goal. We are a big family, the staff and the players, and what's happened for Frank makes all of us very sad. I send my sympathy to the family in the name of everybody.'

When pressed for a date for Lampard's return, Grant responded: 'We leave this to him, it is not easy what's happened. I will respect any decision. For me football is exciting, and very important but there are things more important.

'I say to the players on the way to excellence you need to be also human and I think we need to respect what's happened to him.'

You can see the 90 minutes again on Chelsea TV from midnight tonight, with highlights available on Chelsea Plus.