Frank Lampard has warned Manchester United that Chelsea are to take the

Premier League race down to the wire.

The Blues are seven points behind leaders United and have played a game more than the reigning champions, but Lampard believes the feelgood factor created by Guus Hiddink's arrival as Chelsea manager has provided a timely boost at Stamford Bridge.

Hiddink has led Chelsea to three successive wins since replacing sacked Brazilian Luiz Felipe Scolari and the west Londoners can close the gap on United to four points if they beat Portsmouth at Fratton Park on Tuesday.

Lampard is hoping Sir Alex Ferguson's men slip up at Newcastle on Wednesday, opening the way for a late Chelsea challenge.

"Considering the crisis everyone says we're having this season, we're still in second position," England midfielder Lampard said.

"I know we're a fair dis-

tance behind Manchester United, but we'll keep going. We closed the gap last year and only fell a little bit short.

"There are a lot of points still available, although to be fair to Manchester United they have been on a fantastic run.

"They can't go on winning forever, one day they might start getting some penalty decisions against them at home. The luck can change and do so very quickly."

While Chelsea remain confident of pushing United all the way, morale at Liverpool is at rock bottom heading into their vital home clash against Sunderland onTuesday.

Raphael Benitez's side led the table for several weeks but a dismal run of two wins in

seven matches has allowed United to overhaul them.

Saturday's 2-0 defeat at Middlesbrough saw the Reds drop to third place and defender Fabio Aurelio admits they need to win every game now to have any chance of ending their 19-yair wait for the title.

"We lost a great opportunity to try to get closer to Manchester United but we must bounce back now and beat Sunderland at Anfield on Tuesday," Aurelio said.

"We will still keep on fighting because we know in football that anything can happen. We won't give up and we will now try to win every game."

While Liverpool's meltdown is causing plenty of anguish at Anfield, at least they will be able to take the consolation of Champions League action next season.

At Arsenal, the grim realisation that a place in top four could be out of reach is growing stronger by the week.

The Gunners travel to bottom of the table West Bromwich Albion on Tuesday six points adrift of fourth-placed Aston Villa after five successive draws.

United's trip to Newcastle will be a test of Ferguson's resources after an energy-FROM PAGE 20

just one of their last 18 league games.

Bolton boss Gary Mcgson saw Ricardo Gardner score the only goal of the game at home to Newcastle, having earlier agreed a new contract at the Reebok.

Newcastle are just two points above the relegation zone.