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Chelsea take on Kevin Keegan's Magpies at St James' Park this afternoon knowing that if they lose o the resurgent Geordies they will effectively hand the Premier League trophy to rivals Manchester United.

"This year we will keep going and we want to take it to the last day," said the 26-year-old England midfielder.

"If we can win and take it to the last Sunday then it is squeaky bum time as the famous man once said."

That phrase was once used by Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson to describe the nervousness of the title run-in, and Cole is confident he will be able to produce his best form, and thst Chelsea can push the Red Devils all the way.

"I have played a lot of football and my last few games I haven't been at my best - but I want to come back to my best in this game and get the points," said Cole.

Chelsea can point to a better away record this season than either United or third-placed Arsenal. And their hopes of overtaking United at the death are resting on their ability to take something away from Tyneside today. That won't be straightforward, as Newcastle are unbeaten in seven games. Yet Cole is confident Chelsea can come away with victory.

"We have good resilience and we find it easy to play when teams come out at us," he said. "Hopefully with the position Newcastle are in, they will come at us and it will be a high-scoring game and another three points for us.

"In front of their own fans they are going to want to play and there are a couple of old Man United players in there who are going to want to do their old mates some favours - but we just have to keep going and get the job done."

One of those former United players is Nicky Butt, who said he would love to see his old club pip Chelsea to the title.

Butt, 33, said: "I'm a great believer in playing football the right way. I'm not saying Chelsea don't, but it's more attractive to the eye watching United games.

"Football is about not losing and Chelsea have become masters at that. Obviously I'd love United to win it and it would be more of a highlight for the football purist if they did."


Mark Hinton, Goal.com