LONDON (AP):

Carlo Ancelotti is focussing on Chelsea's FA Cup run, starting with their fourth-round game against Everton, after conceding yesterday that the team's Premier League title hopes are fading.

Following their worst league run for almost 15 years, the champions are 10 points behind leader Manchester United and Ancelotti believes it could be too late to return to the top.

"At this moment, we have less possibility to win the Premier League because it is less simple to close this gap," Ancelotti said. "In the FA Cup and Champions League, we have more possibility."

But there are signs that Chelsea's season is getting back on track following three straight victories in all competitions, a stretch in which the team scored 13 times without conceding.

"The moment is very good, we played very well against Bolton (winning 4-0 on Monday) and we want to continue this," Ancelotti said. "Our atmosphere has totally changed, compared to one month ago."

Chelsea were held last month to a 1-1 draw in the league by Everton, who have proved to be a stubborn opponent at times this season. Arsenal are the only team in the top seven to have beaten Everton so far.

But Everton manager David Moyes aren't dismissing the threat posed by Chelsea today.

"When they got an opportunity they took it and defensively they were terrific (at Bolton)," Moyes said. "I have seen them playing more fluent football in times gone past, but they were very efficient.

Ancelotti resisted questions about Chelsea's bid for Liverpool striker Fernando Torres being rejected.

"He is not my player and I have to have respect for Liverpool," Ancelotti said. "I am happy because the club is doing a fantastic job in this transfer market. The club is trying to do everything to improve the squad."

In another of today's fourth-round matches, Manchester United travels to third-tier club Southampton, where goalkeeper Anders Lindegaard could make his debut for the Premier League leaders.

Southampton midfielder Richard Chaplow hopes the match will fuel the club's determination to return to the top flight, after relegation in 2005.

Arsenal, second in the Premier League, are also facing a League One, Huddersfield, tomorrow.

Also on Sunday, Manchester City will be without winger Adam Johnson against Notts County, West Ham will be looking for a distraction from its relegation battle when it hosts Nottingham Forest, Tottenham travels across London to Fulham and Wolverhampton plays Stoke.