Media question Grant but get few answers

LONDON (Reuters) - Newspapers took the unusual step on Friday of publishing a verbatim transcript of Avram Grant's baffling post-match press conference following Chelsea's 1-0 win at Everton on Thursday.

"Is this the most bizarre football interview ever" asked the London Evening Standard, while The Guardian printed the press conference transcript under the headline: "Grant bites his tongue and plays strange yes/no game."

The Sun pointedly asked: "Av you gone mad?", saying Avram Grant had turned into Avram Grunt by the way he handled his media conference.

Grant gave a series of curt answers to the media after his team's win, saying he didn't know whether Chelsea were still in the title race or not even though their win brought them to within two points of Manchester United with three matches to play. United have four matches left and visit Chelsea on April 26.

However at a strange post-match press conference, Grant gave terse answers to reporters' questions.

Asked if Chelsea are still in the title race he replied: "I don't know."

Asked if the win meant Chelsea were back in the title race, he replied: "I don't know." Asked if it was a relief to get a win he replied: "Yes".

Asked what pleased him about the performance he replied, after a long pause:, "I don't know."

Asked if he would like to gain some positive publicity for the result "rather than this bizarre silence", he replied: "I'm sorry. You can write whatever you want and I can answer what I want."