Ancelotti settles for shared spoils

Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti was content with Saturday’s 1-1 draw against Stoke despite his side now trailing Manchester United by 11 points.

The Blues saw their title defence suffer a major setback after escaping from Britannia Stadium with a share of the points.

Didier Drogba’s 33rd minute strike cancelled out Jon Walters opener for Stoke, but the Potters were unfortunate not to claim all three points after hitting the bar twice in the second half.

“We did our best. It was a good result because Stoke had opportunities,” Ancelotti said.

“They could have won, we could have won. It was exciting. We are not so happy for the result but it was the right one for this game.”

“We have to continue to do our best. The gap (to United) was not easy before this game and now it is more difficult but we have to think game by game.”

“The gap is more open now but we have to play our game. It is not about Manchester United.

“I think it is very difficult (to win league) – we said that before the game.”

The point moves Stoke further away from the relegation zone and manager Tony Pulis was proud of his team’s efforts.

“It was a great start and Jon scored a great goal but we sat back and gave them the impetus and in the last 20 minutes of the first half they showed what a great team they are,” Pulis said.

“We had too many players after we scored sitting back and watching them pass it around.”

“In the second half we pushed on to them with better quality balls up to Kenwyne Jones and got more bodies up there and it made for an entertaining game.”

“We had the chances to win it but Chelsea are a great side with great players and you have to give them credit.”

“You have to give them and their manager full credit because that was a tough game for us.”