The English press is digging into Chelsea manager Avram Grant for the bizarre press conference he gave following Chelsea's 1-0 win away to Everton on Thursday. Grant answered most reporters' questions with simple "Yes" and "No" answers and refused to elaborate. The closest thing he gave to an explanation was: "Maybe [I'm] upset because it's been a bad season." Meanwhile, Chelsea had reduced the gap with Manchester United to just two points, although United has a game in hand, which will be played away to Blackburn Saturday.

The victory at Goodison Park was a professional, if workman-like display (although Everton, like Chelsea, was missing a string of regulars), with Michael Essien scoring the crucial goal after 41 minutes, but the Independent's Ian Herbert said Grant's post-match behavior was far from professional. "His incoherent performance provided the clearest indication yet that the pressures at the Chelsea helm are beyond him, and that he might be struggling to cope," Herbert said.

The end of the press conference, which lasted just five minutes and 39 seconds, was particular churlish. When asked why Michael Ballack didn't play, Grant simply said, "Injured." When asked what was wrong with him, Grant said, "Ask the doctor." The reporter replied that he wasn't there, and Grant said, "Well, call him then." Then he got up and left the room. Full transcript here.

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