By Paul Tully

CHELSEA manager Avram Grant admitted his side did not play well in a goalless first half at St. James' Park, but a half-time tactical change brought a 2-0 victory.

Grant said: "We didn't play well in the first half. But we changed the system and adjusted very well and second half we dominated."

Chelsea skipper John Terry revealed the players had been given a "rollicking" in the Chelsea dressing-room at half-time and the result was a step-up that brought goals from Michael Ballack (60th minute) and Florent Malouda (82nd).

And Grant added: "At half-time all the staff said what they needed to stay. We then made some chances and played very well second half.

"Today we played against a manager who shows the beauty of how we see English football: always trying to give his best."

And assessing the title race, in which victory for Manchester United at Wigan next week will dash Champions League finalists Chelsea's Premier League hopes as they entertain Bolton, Grant said: "Manchester United are a very, very good team who play excellent football - but we are giving them a good battle.

"And everything is possible."