Kicking for the finishing line

As he surveys his squad after their arrival back from midweek internationals and ahead of this afternoon's home fixture against Middlesbrough, Avram Grant is convinced his players are hitting their stride just as the most important competitions are decided.
Wins for Manchester United and Arsenal on Saturday have put pressure on the Blues to take all three points from today to keep title hopes realistic. Then on Monday the players fly to Istanbul for the start of the Champions League quarter-final.
The big names need to perform and Didier Drogba for one gave plenty of notice he is in goalscoring mood with his double strike in the successful turnaround against Arsenal last weekend.
'In Europe, Didier played very good in the group stage which was not easy for us and also in the league until he got injured and he couldn't play,' recalls Grant.
'During this time he left for the African Cup of Nations and he came back not so fit because he didn't train when he was injured and in African Cup they played in 40 degrees without any training.
'So he was back from Africa not so good and most of this was the physical side but there was also some effect on the mental side.
'But he trained very well' reassures the manager, 'and against Tottenham he was much better than before and against Arsenal he was very good - so I think he is in a very good shape at the right time.'
Rounds of international fixtures can be a worrying time for anyone in charge of a major team but Grant was encouraged by events on Wednesday night. Nicolas Anelka was one player who earned plaudits from plenty of observers after France's win over England.
'In all the games he played with us he played very good,' said Grant about his big signing.
'Nicolas is a team player. Sometimes people cannot see it but many times he has played, we scored four or six goals and since he came I am very happy with him.
'He is here a short time and sometimes a player that comes in January, it is not easy to join the team but he did it very well and I think he will be better also.
'Most of our players who went away with their countries played very good. Even players not in our squad last time like Florent Malouda.
'Andriy Shevchenko like always when he goes to Ukraine scores every two games. He is improving now. It is not an easy situation for him this season and we have only a few games to the end but I hope he will bring his contribution to the games.
'It is important for us that all the players are in the right shape at the right time and I think we are.'