Chelsea's Terry predicts 'fight to the death'

Chelsea captain John Terry is predicting a "fight to the death" as his team attempt to end Manchester United's three-year domination of the Premier League.

The big-spending Londoners won the title in 2005 and 2006 under former coach Jose Mourinho but since then have been runners-up twice and third last season.

Avram Grant, Luiz Felipe Scolari and Guus Hiddink have all failed to emulate Mourinho's double triumph and this time the task of toppling United from top spot falls to former Milan supremo Carlo Ancelotti.

"It will be close, as it has been for the last four or five years," defender Terry said as his team prepared for today's home league game with Hull City.

"We have been pushing them (United) closely and when we won it, they were pushing us, so it will be a fight to the death.

"I am sure at the same time Liverpool, Arsenal and Manchester City will be pushing and upsetting a few good teams as well," added England skipper Terry who last month turned down a money-spinning move to City.

Chelsea ended their pre-season campaign in encouraging style, beating United 4-1 on penalties when the traditional Community Shield curtain-raiser at Wembley ended 2-2 after 90 minutes.

One of the chief talking points of that game was Chelsea's new 4-4-2 playing style preferred by Ancelotti.

Mourinho's title-winning teams adopted a 4-3-3 strategy and that system was retained by successors Grant, Scolari and Hiddink.

Since Nicolas Anelka joined Chelsea in January 2008 it has been rare to find him and fellow striker Didier Drogba paired together in the same starting line-up. Ancelotti, though, seems keen to employ both goal-getters ahead of a four-man midfield diamond formation.

"He (Ancelotti) wants us to be organised, win the ball back as quickly as we can and play good, attacking football," said vice-captain Frank Lampard.

"The manager has settled very quickly and we have picked up his ideas very quickly so the improvements will come."