Luiz Scolari puts his faith in Chelsea spirit

Luiz Felipe Scolari has responded defiantly to Chelsea's latest disappointment but knows his side cannot afford another setback when they begin their Christmas programme against West Bromwich Albion.

Twice in the last two weeks Chelsea have failed to take the chance to claim top spot in the Premier League after leaders Liverpool slipped-up.

And on the most recent occasion - against Everton at Goodison Park - Chelsea suffered the additional blow of having skipper John Terry sent-off, triggering a three-match ban for the England defender. That means Terry will be absent when Chelsea face the bottom-of-the-table Baggies at Stamford Bridge here Friday and attempt to get their title charge back on course.

With Manchester United away in Japan at the Club World Cup, the past few days presented a golden opportunity to claim a significant advantage over the reigning English champions.

Scolari though showed he was feeling the strain of an inconsistent campaign when he refused to speak after the goalless draw away to Everton, claiming he was too angry to address the issue of Terry's dismissal.

Instead, the Brazilian waited 24 hours before offering his assessment which was resolutely upbeat.

"The spirit was the spirit I like in my teams," he said. "If you don't have the spirit for this competition and the understanding between players, some players helping other players, you never win, not only in football but in life." Scolari's position hasn't been helped by strenuously denied reports of player unrest at Stamford Bridge and this week goalkeeper Petr Cech spoke out in support of his manager, insisting there were no divisions in the Londoners' dressing-room. "Out on the pitch nobody is complaining, nothing is being said," insisted the Czech international.

And Didier Drogba appeared to reinforce that sense of unity by declaring his intention to remain at Stamford Bridge this January, despite his recent role as a substitute with Nicolas Anelka starting up front.

"I am not thinking about leaving Chelsea in the winter market," Drogba said. "I have a contract here and want to continue," the Ivory Coast striker added.

But those words will count for little if Chelsea fail to beat a West Brom side who have been lifted by last weekend's victory over an out-of-form Manchester City.

The Midlands club have been boosted by the news that highly-rated Arsenal reserve striker Jay Simpson will arrive on loan in January as a replacement for long-term knee injury victim Ishmael Miller. And West Brom manager Tony Mowbray believes his side is finally beginning to demonstrate the kind of form that could get them out of trouble, provided they can maintain the attitude they showed against City.

"Our play warrants more points but it's an unforgiving league," Mowbray said. "I don't want to say we'll go to Chelsea and win. We have to believe and hope we can but it'll be a tough game."

LONDON,

Dec 25, 2008, AFP