?With four games left, Chelsea's Premier League title hopes are all but over.
Chelsea conceded an injury-time goal and stumbled to a 1-1 draw at home to Wigan on Monday night, leaving the Blues five points behind leader Manchester United.
Chelsea plays Everton tomorrow in a game rescheduled for television. After that, the Blues host Manchester United on April 26.
"We need to win the games against Everton and Manchester United," embattled manager Avram Grant said. "If not, it will be more difficult. We are still in it and we will keep on fighting but we need one more bad result off Manchester United."
Sandwiched in between the Everton and United games is the first leg of the semifinals of the Champions League against Liverpool at Anfield.
"I think we need to concentrate on ourselves and win all our games," said Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech, who played on Monday with a chin strip after needing surgery to fix a nasty facial injury.
"Destiny is not in our hands. We need to wait to see if someone can beat Man United."
The chances of Alex Ferguson's United team faltering seem remote.
Manchester United goes to Blackburn on Saturday, and after Chelsea, hosts West Ham and ends the season at Wigan. The Red Devils are also in the semifinals of the Champions League and plays FC Barcelona on April 23 and 29.
After the United game, Chelsea is away at Newcastle and home to Bolton.
Wigan manager Steve Bruce said the Everton game is "horrific" for Chelsea.
"It is unbelievable that they have to play two games in three days while chasing the title," he said. "It is ridiculous. It's not right."
Chelsea has reached the semifinals of the Champions League for the fourth time in five seasons, but the Blues have never won Europe's elite club competition. And Chelsea lost to Liverpool in two of its previous three semifinals.
Grant has struggled to win fans over since he arrived at Chelsea in September, replacing the popular Jose Mourinho. His stature slipped further when Chelsea lost the League Cup final to Tottenham and was eliminated from the FA Cup by lower-league Barnsley.
Even if Chelsea wins the Champions League, there is no certainty that Grant will be back at Stamford Bridge next season.
British bookmakers released odds yesterday on who would replace him with FC Barcelona coach Frank Rijkaard the favorite at 6-4, followed by Russia coach Guus Hiddink at 2-1 and Blackburn manager Mark Hughes, a former Chelsea striker, at 8-1.
Grant had to rest Didier Drogba on Monday because of a knee injury, and the striker may also miss the Everton game. Midfielder Frank Lampard missed the Wigan game because of a family illness and could also be out for Everton.
(Agencies April 16, 2008)