Ancelotti shrugs off Chelsea stutter

BIRMINGHAM, England: Carlo Ancelotti is convinced he can still mastermind a Premier League title in his first campaign at Chelsea despite seeing his troops win only once in seven games.

The Italian is refusing to press the panic button after a run that has cost his side the chance to open up a convincing lead over champions Manchester United, who had the chance to cut Chelsea's lead to two points with victory over struggling Hull on Sunday.

Ancelotti received a major boost ahead of the clash with west London neighbours Fulham on Monday, after striking a deal with the Ivory Coast FA to keep Didier Drogba and Salomon Kalou for one more match before the pair flies out to the African Nations Cup.