Chelsea go five points after beating Man Utd

By ALEX CROOK STATS European Football Writer=

LONDON (SE) - Sir Alex Ferguson could land himself in more hot water with the Football Association after blasting referee Martin Atkinson following Manchester United’s 1-0 defeat to Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.

John Terry’s second-half header settled a tight affair in West London but Ferguson was furious with the official’s decision to award Chelsea the free-kick which provided the goal as Darren Fletcher appeared to win the ball cleanly from Ashley Cole.

The victory for Chelsea opens up a five-point gap at the top of the Premier League and as frustrating for Ferguson must have been his side’s lack of a goal-scoring threat without the individual brilliance of Wayne Rooney.

United boss Ferguson said: “Clearly Fletcher has won the ball, Ashley Cole has never been touched and he has jumped up in the air and then Didier Drogba has pulled Wes Brown to the ground for the goal.

“The referee’s position to make the decision was absolutely ridiculous, he cannot see anything. He had a Chelsea player standing right in front of him and he does not even move.

“It was a bad decision but there is nothing we can do about it. You lose faith in refereeing sometimes, that is the way the players are talking in the dressing room \2013 it was a bad one.

“That goal should never have been allowed. We dominated the game, we had great chances to win the game and that is our fault.

“We have only got ourselves to blame in that respect but you do need a break and we never got the break we deserved.”

United’s midfield three of Anderson, Michael Carrick and Fletcher were busy in the opening stages but it was Chelsea to carve the first chance with Branislav Ivanovic testing Edwin van der Saar with a strong drive from the right flank.

A searching ball from Michael Ballack found Drogba in space but the Ivorian could not plant his header toward goal and despite United enjoying most of the possession it was Chelsea who dominated in the final third.

Nicolas Anelka went close as he forced van der Saar into a one-handed save from distance and the French international then turned provider as he set Deco free down the right-hand-side.

The Portuguese’s cross was intended for Ballack but instead found Drogba however once again the striker’s radar was off as his touch let him done allowing the ball to roll into the grateful arms of van der Saar.

United needed a boost after the break but it was Chelsea who continued to press as Drogba rounded John O’Shea but could not find the target.

Rooney had remained quiet but just after the hour mark burst into life firing just wide of the upright and then bringing a fine save from Petr Cech as his curling 20-yard effort looked destined for the top corner.

The game then turned on Atkinson’s decision to award Chelsea the free-kick as Fletcher tackled Cole and Frank Lampard’s delivery saw Drogba, Anelka and Terry all charge the ball for the Chelsea captain to claim the vital touch.

United offered little in the last ten minutes and their frustration boiled over as Rooney, O’Shea and Antonio Valencia were all booked.

Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti said: “We have beaten a very good team but we must stay focused.

“It is difficult to beat Manchester United. It was in the balance for 90 minutes and difficult to score.

“We are in a good place in the Premier League and the Champions League but you need to be in a good place at the end of the season and we know there will be many more had matches like this to come.”