Avram Grant may have been criticised for his perceived dour personality, but the Chelsea first-team coach has at least kept the title race alive. A 1-0 victory against Everton at Goodison Park last night — their eleventh by that scoreline in all competitions this season — moved Chelsea to within two points of Manchester United and kept them in with an outside chance of the championship.

United will retain their Barclays Premier League crown should they win away to Blackburn Rovers tomorrow evening and then defeat Chelsea at Stamford Bridge seven days later, but Grant can continue to dream for another week.

Chelsea will return to Merseyside to face Liverpool in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final on Tuesday, but while that competition remains the priority for Grant and Roman Abramovich, the club’s owner, United cannot begin to celebrate a tenth Premier League title yet, although Chelsea’s performance last night will hardly have struck fear into the leaders.

What the match lacked in entertainment, however, Grant more than made up for during a bizarre post-match press briefing when he responded to questions with a series of pointed, monosyllabic answers. Whether it was a sign of the Israeli cracking under the pressure or his way of making a point to his detractors, such behaviour was more in keeping with his predecessor, José Mourinho.

Asked whether the result — secured by Michael Essien’s 41st-minute goal — had put Chelsea back in contention for the title after the disappointing 1-1 draw at home to Wigan Athletic on Monday, Grant responded by saying: “I don’t know”. Asked if there was an issue, he replied “No. I’m OK. I have nothing to say.”

The question-and-answer session continued in a similar vein until a Chelsea press officer brought the farcical proceedings to an end, although Grant’s mood was far more upbeat as he joked with reporters in the players’ tunnel later.

While United will still be looking over their shoulder, Liverpool appear to have won the battle for fourth place. Everton have not won in nine meetings with the so-called big four in all competitions this season and defeat last night all but extinguished their hopes of qualifying for the Champions League.

Rafael Benítez’s team will move eight points clear of their neighbours should they win away to Fulham tomorrow and will clinch the coveted fourth place a week later if they beat Birmingham City at St Andrew’s. A draw would be good enough if Everton fail to defeat Aston Villa at Goodison Park the following day, although David Moyes remains confident of securing a Uefa Cup place. “We desperately want that to happen but we have to keep going until the very end,” the Everton manager said. “We have teams coming up behind us and breathing down our necks.”