Ancelotti insists Chelsea are focused despite Terry scandal

Chelsea looked lacklustre last night (Reuters)

Carlo Ancelotti does not believe the media spotlight on John Terry will have any bearing on Chelsea's title bid.

Terry was on duty for the second time last night since a series of allegations into his private life broke, and captained the Blues to a disappointing 1-1 draw at relegation-threatened Hull.

Ancelotti confirmed he may allow the under-pressure England captain some time away from the squad should he need it but refused to entertain the idea that the current spotlight on Terry could force Chelsea to lose focus.

"Nothing can disturb our concentration in this competition," said Ancelotti, whose side nudged their lead at the top of the Barclays Premier League to two points at the KC Stadium.

"I think that Chelsea are focused for every game.

"Sometimes we play good football and sometimes we have more difficulty but the concentration is always on top.

"The atmosphere in the team is the same. No change."

When asked whether Terry would be granted a leave of absence when Chelsea meet Cardiff in the FA Cup on February 13, the Italian answered: "If he needs a holiday I will give him a holiday. If he doesn't need a holiday then he will play against Cardiff. You will see the line-up then.

"It is an issue for me and John Terry; it is not your problem, I think.

"For him nothing has changed. He has played a very good game and every game he is leading very well. He is doing his best every game."

Hull boss Phil Brown saw Steven Mouyokolo put the unfancied hosts ahead after half an hour only for Didier Drogba to level before the interval.

It was the Ivorian's 20th goal of the campaign and marked his return to the side following a month on African Nations Cup duty.

Reflecting on the result, Brown said: "We went 1-0 up and I was disappointed with the goal we conceded. Not to go 2-1 up just before half-time was the biggest disappointment though, because Anthony Gardner had a great chance.

"Then you've got the second half and you've got to defend valiantly, which we did.

"But we played some great football too, we put them under pressure - no doubt about it. We fully deserved a point and maybe even all three."

Asked what influence, if any, the interest in Terry had on the match, the Tigers boss was unconvinced.

He said: "You had the John Terry effect and you had the whole media circus that is surrounding this situation John finds himself in.

"For the team coach to come into the internal grounds of the KC Stadium and be followed by all the cameras...then you realise the intensity of the situation.

"But as far as we're concerned we were focused on playing football."