Winner takes all in Chelsea game admits Sir Alex Ferguson
Saturday, 19 Apr 2008 20:47
Sir Alex Ferguson thinks Chelsea game will be key
Manchester United In Focus
Good, bad or just the same old, same old? What the fans made of the 2007/08 season. Full Story
Sir Alex Ferguson has laid down the gauntlet to his
Manchester United players by saying whoever wins in the game against
Chelsea will be champions.
United could have had a five-point cushion heading into the game at Stamford Bridge next weekend, but they were held 1-1 away at Blackburn and now only have a three-point lead over Chelsea at the top of the Premier League.
"This result does make the Chelsea game more important, before today I said that if we won three of our four remaining games we would win, but now it will come down to whoever wins at Stamford Bridge," said Ferguson.
The league leaders had to wait until the 88th minute for Carlos Tevez to head in the equaliser, but Ferguson felt his team deserved all three points.
United dominated in the second-half but were thwarted by an inspired performance by Brad Friedel in the Blackburn goal. They were also unfortunate to not be awarded a penalty after Brett Emerton clearly handled in the penalty area.
"We deserved three points today but we've rescued a point late on again from Carlos Tevez," said Ferguson.
"In the second half we were brilliant, we showed the kind of tenacity and passing of champions. I think we could have had three penalties but we are not getting the breaks recently, such as like in the FA Cup.
"But we can't go on about it, we should have won the game anyway despite the fact Brad Freidel had an outstanding game we dominated and should have won."
Manchester United have a tough week ahead of them with Champions League semi-final first-leg against Barcelona on Wednesday and then the game against Chelsea next Sunday. But Ferguson insisted his players were well-prepared for both games.