Grant Has Turned Mourinho's Chelsea Into a Better Team, Claims Cech

Avram Grant's transformation from figure of fun to dressing-room inspiration continued last night as Petr Cech suggested the Israeli has succeeded in turning Chelsea into a better team than that led by the Special One, Jose Mourinho.

Cech and his team-mates will attempt to draw level again with Manchester United at the top of the Premier League this afternoon by triumphing at Newcastle, an awkward fixture which Chelsea effectively must win to retain hope of claiming the title on the season's final afternoon. Yet, having already secured progress to their first European Cup final, there is rare momentum behind this team with Grant's reputation soaring.

"I can see the same quality in this team," said Cech when asked to compare the current side with Mourinho's two-time title-winning team. "We're handling the pressure and winning the big games. I would say that the team is at least at the same level and maybe a bit better [than under the previous manager].

"This has been a tough season. We had to start from behind United and Arsenal all season and now we've taken it to the end. But we can't afford a slip-up. Newcastle is now another cup final for us. We can't do anything except win the game and we know that. The good thing is that, after the week we've had, we're going there in a positive mood. We will do all we can to keep the dream of winning the Premier League alive. If we can win, then we will keep the pressure on United to the last game and then anything can still happen."

United travel to Wigan on Sunday's final afternoon, as Chelsea host Bolton, with Grant admitting it has taken him time to make his mark at Stamford Bridge. "It's not a one-way process between a manager and his players," he said. "They may have had doubts about me but I had doubts about some of them as well. I was also patient and resolved not to make an opinion on them after one month. I wanted to check on them over a long time, to monitor their behavior and see what they had to offer. But you can see on the pitch they give everything for the club.

"I've done many things differently. I've changed the staff, the training, tactics, the players' way of behaving and many other things. Football is simpler than people think. I believe in simple methods but quality methods. You check the players and they see what you can do."

Chelsea's owner, Roman Abramovich, has been absent from Stamford Bridge in recent weeks as his team have blazed a trail in Europe and at home, yet Grant's position appears stronger than it has ever been. "I've spoken to a couple of people and I don't believe Avram will lose his job," said Richard Bevan, chief executive of the League Managers' Association. "Roman Abramovich is very close to Avram. They're friends and in many ways similar characters."