Terry throws down gauntlet to United

John Terry is confident that Chelsea will assert their Championship credentials by beating title holders Manchester United in next Sunday's clash at Stamford Bridge.

Claudio Ranieri's side maintained their challenge with a 1-0 win at Southampton on Saturday, their seventh successive victory since last month's 2-1 defeat at Arsenal.

Chelsea stay second, one point behind Arsene Wenger's league leaders and, following that demoralising defeat at Highbury, are desperate for a victory over one of their main rivals. They have not beaten United since the Charity Shield three years ago but Terry is confident that disappointing run could come to an end next weekend.

He said: "The Manchester United game will be a massive challenge and it's a chance for us to prove ourselves. We've already played Arsenal and a lot of people are saying that those two will be our big rivals. We're confident that we're as good as them and if we keep on winning we can put them under pressure.

"We lost at Highbury so it's important to prove we can beat one of the big two. It's vital and beating United would give us a big psychological boost. Since we lost to Arsenal we've won seven games in a row and proved we can bounce back.

"We're going to get into United in the first 20 minutes, take the game to them and see what happens."

While United and Arsenal show no signs of faltering following comfortable victories at the weekend, Terry believes that the emergence of Chelsea has got the big two worried.

He said: "If we keep putting pressure on them I'm sure they'll slip up. If we keep getting results then we'll be right up there, but there are lots of good sides who won't be too far away for us and we have to keep winning. We can't relax and will just take every game as it comes.

"Over the last couple of years we've learnt how to grind out results and the team spirit here is amazing. We're all working hard and everyone at Chelsea is fighting for each other and fighting for their place."

Ranieri is also convinced that Chelsea are ready to challenge for the Championship.

He said: "It's very important for the whole league to not always have the same two teams at the top and now there are three. We are the little boy who wants to achieve this and we are ready to fight with them for the title. I'm happy that we are close to two great teams but it's only November. I'd like to be in the same position in April."

Chelsea's win at St Mary's came from an unlikely source, with Mario Melchiot scoring his first goal for two seasons. The Dutch defender finished a flowing move involving Joe Cole, Frank Lampard and Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, as the visitors-ground out a victory without-playing particularly well. Melchiot was only playing because of the suspension that rules Glen Johnson out of this week's Champions League game against Sparta Prague, while Juan Veron and Hernan Crespo were also rested ahead of Wednesday's game. Chelsea need a point against Prague to reach the second stage.

Terry added: "We were a bit surprised as Mario doesn't score many goals, but when he does they tend to be important ones.

"His contract is up at the end of the season but he's kept working away. He's been getting a little bit of stick in training as he was the only player not to score last season. The goal was a great move and not a bad finish for a defender."