Emmanuel Adebayor

Carvalho

Carvalho issues rallying cry Ricardo Carvalho has called on his Chelsea team-mates to keep the pressure on at the top of the table.

The Blues lost to Tottenham Hotspur in the Carling Cup final last month and Carvalho is keen to exact revenge when the sides meet on Wednesday night.

If Chelsea can beat Juande Ramos' side and then follow it up with a win against Arsenal at the weekend, they could find themselves top of the Barclays Premier League.

Manchester United, who face Bolton Wanderers and Liverpool in their next two matches, are three points ahead of Chelsea and Carvalho admits it is crucial not to lose further ground.

"These two derbies are decisive for us. If we get the six points then we will put the pressure on Manchester United in the race for the title," the defender said.

"We cannot afford to fail now. We know that the Tottenham and Arsenal games are so important because it will put us back in touch with the leaders.

"We suffered a big blow when we lost to Tottenham in the Carling Cup final and, of course, we want to make up for that and show people what we are capable of.

"It was the same in the FA Cup. Some people lost belief in us and that did affect our confidence, of course. But if we win these two games we will be back in the title race - believing we can win it."