CHELSEA GIVE ME THE BLUES

PATRICE Evra's memories of playing Chelsea are bitter-sweet.

But Manchester United’s French left-back is ­determined to make the visit to London this Sunday a happy one.

“Every time I play them something bad happens,” said Evra. “I hope not this time. I just want to win.”

Evra, whose only defeat to the Blues was on ­penalties in this summer’s Community Shield, was banned for four matches last season following a bust-up with a Chelsea groundsman after United’s 2-1 defeat at Stamford Bridge in April 2008.

He returned from the ban to play against Chelsea in a 3-0 win at Old Trafford, only to get injured and miss seven matches.

He blamed the injury on the effect the ban had on his fitness – and claimed the incident with Blues groundsman Sam Bethell nearly wrecked his season.

The saga continued in August at Wembley when Chelsea’s Michael Ballack “took out” Evra.

Play was waved on, ­United lost possession and Chelsea scored, leaving boss Sir Alex Ferguson and Evra furious.

The 28-year-old went on to have his penalty in the shoot-out saved by Petr Cech.

Evra, in his fifth season at United and arguably the most consistent player this season, won’t let bad ­memories affect his will to win on Sunday – and ­topple Chelsea off top spot.

He added: “I think we are confident about the ­weekend.

“If you ask me for one game that I want to win above all each season it is the game at Stamford Bridge against Chelsea.

“Chelsea are our biggest rivals for the title so we need to be strong.

“It’s a long time since we won there (2002) so it is about time we put that right.

“I have never lost against Chelsea, except on penalties. When I start in the 11 I never lose.”

Evra admitted United cannot afford to be as ­generous as they were when conceding three times to CSKA Moscow in the Champions League on Tuesday – especially facing Didier Drogba and Nicolas ­Anelka.

He said: “We need to make sure that we don’t ­concede three goals on ­Sunday because it won’t be easy to get back.

“If you concede three goals at home you can ­hardly say it has been a good performance from the defenders.”

He added: “Both Drogba and Anelka are good friends of mine. They are both great players.

“We need to be ready and we need to be strong ­because they are two big strikers. They are quick and strong.

“It will be a tough game but we have enough quality to keep a clean sheet.”

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