Chelsea return this afternoon to the ground where they effectively lost last season’s Barclays Premier League to Manchester United, confident of keeping the title race alive until the final day of the season. Petr Cech claimed yesterday that his present teammates are better than the Chelsea side that won successive championships under José Mourinho, while Avram Grant, the first-team coach, believes he has finally gained his players’ respect.

Chelsea’s goalless draw at St James’ Park 12 months ago gave United vital breathing space after Mourinho’s side had been chasing them hard since Christmas, but after stirring victories over their title rivals and Liverpool in the past nine days, the visiting team are unlikely to run out of steam in a similar fashion. Many of Grant’s players are relatively fresh after returning from injury, with John Terry, Michael Ballack and Didier Drogba having played far fewer matches than they did last season, prompting Cech to compare them to Mourinho’s title-winning sides.

“We’re still winning games and handling the pressure, and winning the big games,” the Czech Republic goalkeeper said. “The team is at least at the same level and maybe a bit better. This has been a very tough season. We had to start from behind United and Arsenal all season and now we’ve taken it to the end. It is hard to compare, but the quality of the team is at least at the same level.”

Cech believes that last week’s 3-2 win over Liverpool could represent the turning point for Grant, who, after guiding the club to their first Champions League final, has appeared liberated in recent days. “I think Avram was under a lot of pressure,” Cech said. “It was a really big game for the club and him, so there must have been great personal satisfaction. The club has never had such an important victory and he has taken us to the final. That’s a great achievement for everybody, including Avram.

“Chelsea are always a big target for everybody – the whole world wants to have a go at us. But it means we live with pressure all the time and get used to it. All we can do is concentrate on what happens on the field and make sure we keep winning.”

Grant was sufficiently emboldened yesterday to admit that he doubted the ability of many of the players when he took over from Mourinho in September, accepting that they in turn had reservations about him. The Israeli is planning to reshape his squad at the end of the season if he is retained by Roman Abramovich, the owner, but has been impressed at the way in which several of his players have proved him wrong.

“It’s not a one-way process between a manager and his players,” he said. “They may have had doubts about me, but I had doubts about some of them as well. I was also patient and resolved not to make an opinion on them after one month. I wanted to check on them over a long time, to monitor their behaviour and see what they had to offer.

“You need more than quality to succeed, you need personality and to be a positive person. You check the players and they also want to see what you can do. But you can see on the pitch they give everything for the club.”

Grant has no injury worries for a match his side must win to prevent United requiring just a point from their game away to Wigan Athletic on Sunday to take the title. “We can’t slip up at all,” Cech said. “Newcastle is now another cup final for us. We will do all we can to keep the dream of winning the Premier League alive.”

Drogba put on hold

They are firm friends as well as former colleagues, but Habib Beye has rejected Didier Drogba’s telephone calls in recent days (George Caulkin writes). Beye sought out the Chelsea striker’s opinion before joining Newcastle United last summer – and received a glowing recommendation – but there will be no favours at St James’ Park today. Beye played alongside Drogba at Marseilles and will be offering advice to his Newcastle teammates. “Give him a friendly kick,” he said, “and step on his feet, especially if it is cold.”

Newcastle United (probable; 4-3-3): S Harper – H Beye, S Taylor, A Faye, J Enrique – Gérémi, N Butt, J Barton – O Martins, M Owen, M Viduka.

Chelsea (probable; 4-3-3): P Cech – M Essien, R Carvalho, J Terry, A Cole – M Ballack, J O Mikel, F Lampard – J Cole, D Drogba, S Kalou.

Referee: S Bennett.

Television: Sky Sports 1, from 3.30pm.