Terry has called on his side to win a first Premier League title since 2006

Chelsea captain John Terry has urged his team-mates to create history with a Premier League and FA Cup Double.

The Blues went four points clear at the top of the table by beating Bolton 1-0 on Tuesday and face Portsmouth in the final of the FA Cup on 15 May.

"There's a real togetherness. We have a chance to make history and are determined to achieve it," said Terry.

Bolton manager Owen Coyle was left fuming at two penalty claims for handball that were turned down.

Nicolas Anelka scored the only goal at Stamford Bridge but Chelsea were lucky to see spot-kick appeals against John Terry and Didier Drogba waved away by referee Lee Probert.

Television replays appeared to show the ball hitting the arm of Drogba in the first half and then Terry after the break following a cross from Chung-Yong Lee.

"I know Drogba is a world-class player but he could play world-class volleyball for anybody on that evidence," stated Coyle, whose side are five points above the relegation zone.

"We didn't need any luck tonight, we only needed the officials to get the big decisions right. There were two stonewall penalties out there for handballs.

"The first one, after 27 minutes when Drogba handballs in the area, then there's the second one when John Terry handles it. The assistant referee says it hit his shoulder but it's a clear penalty.

"That's not unlucky. The referee has not been helped by his assistants if he's not in a good position to see it. I can accept it if they've not seen it."

Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti dismissed Coyle's claims, preferring to focus on his team's performance, and believes the title is now theirs to lose.

"The league is in our hands. We have to stay focused and calm," commented the Italian.

And when asked about the penalty claims, he added: "It's not my job to judge the work of the referees.

606: DEBATE Bolton should have had at least one penalty so no doubt we are going to look like the villains Tommy 99

"I never did, even if we were unlucky at their decisions. I didn't see the incidents. I trust in the referee.

"It was a tough game for us but I think that Chelsea did a good job and won, which was the most important thing.

"We were unlucky not to improve the scoreline at the start of the second half but we needed the three points.

"There was pressure on us to get this result because we needed to improve our position but I think the players now have very good motivation to finish the season well."

Chelsea last won the Premier League in 2006 and triumphed in the FA Cup in 2009 but have never won both in the same season - something their captain is keen to achieve this year.

"We have not won the league for the last three years," said England defender Terry. "We've won the FA Cup twice in that time. We have never won the league and Cup Double.

"In my lifetime only Liverpool, Manchester United and Arsenal have, so when the opportunity arises you have to seize it. When you seize it, you can make history."

E-mail this to a friend

Printable version