AVRAM GRANT said last night Chelsea had been playing "the best football" over the Premier League run-in, though he conceded also that his side could end up losing the title on goal difference, the Israeli, albeit optimistically, suggesting the trophy should be decided in a play-off match if the top two finish level on points.

Chelsea host Bolton Wanderers tomorrow conscious that Manchester United must drop points at Wigan if the London club are to stand any realistic chance of regaining the title given that they begin the day with a goal difference 17 worse than that of the league leaders.

Grant has long been aware that such a gulf was effectively unbridgeable and insisted that a winner-takes-all play-off, a system used in Italy until two years ago, would be a fairer way of determining the champions.

"Of course I have an interest in saying this now but I liked the system in Italy," said Grant. "They played a play-off match if they were level and the title was decided like that. It is a better way, so ask the Premier League to change to this.

"Sometimes teams score more goals against the weaker sides and that is why their goal difference is better. When you miss as many players as we did the first target is just to win games.

"I must say that United have played very good football this season and Alex Ferguson has said that he thinks this is his best season since he went there but in the end, if you end up with the same points, you are at the same level. We knew about the goal difference. I remember after the game against Derby County, which we won 6-1, saying to one of my players that I was disappointed because I wanted us to score more goals. He said: 'Why do you say that? We've scored six.' But I said it might be important at the end of the season. He came up to me last week and said: 'How did you know?'"

The odds still appear stacked against Chelsea claiming a third title in four seasons, yet there has been much to admire in their revival under Grant, particularly since the turn of the year. They are unbeaten in 20 league games and have secured a place in their first ever European Cup final in Moscow later this month.

Grant, much maligned not least at times by the home supporters at Stamford Bridge, can justifiably survey the campaign with satisfaction and, having promised a more attack-minded approach upon taking up the reins last September, can even point to more entertaining displays in recent weeks.

"We've been playing the best football in the last month, playing it at the right time in the season against really big teams and big managers," he added.

"Alex said two or three months ago that this was the best United side he'd ever coached. If that's so, we've given them a good battle and, if they take the title - and I'm not sure they will - it might be on goal difference. And that makes me very proud.

"The doubts people had at the beginning were very reasonable but even a big coach has to be judged by his results. That's how I want people to judge me and I think those results have been good. We've taken more points than any other team since I've been here. And we continue to develop. People called it 'boring Chelsea' before but I don't think this team played boring football over the last three years. We wanted to go a different way, yes, but to use the good things we had and continue. Our first priority when I took over was to make history by reaching the final of the Champions League. But now we are here in the Premiership, we want to win this too.

"We will know from the reaction of the fans what is happening at Wigan. Everybody will be watching that game - it's more interesting, it's in the spotlight. The pitch will be ready, Wigan will be ready, everything will be ready. They've fought hard at home and have not lost there this year, drawing with Arsenal and fighting to the last moment here against us. So let's see what happens." Guardian Service