Redknapp expects two-way title race

My Account
Logout

Create an Evening Standard Account

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Welcome! Sign in here

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Forgot your password ?

Registration

* indicates fields that are mandatory

Email *

Password *

Confirm Password *

First name *

Surname *

Postcode *

Country *

Mobile phone number

Username *

Gender *

Year of birth *

When you sign up...

You will have access to all our online competitions, discounted offers and can post comments on our site.

You will also receive The Weekender newsletter sent every Thursday - it’s full of fantastic offers and ideas for the weekend. You can update your email preferences in your account page when you log in.

Other newsletters and emails

Homes & Property Newsletter - Yes I want to receive the weekly email with all the latest news on property in the capital

Occasionally we would also like to send you relevant emails detailing specific offers either from ourselves or carefully selected partners. If you would prefer not to receive these then please tick the appropriate boxes below. We will never pass on your details.

I do not want to receive additional offers and information from the Evening Standard

I do not want to receive additional offers and information sent by Evening Standard on behalf of carefully selected partners

Terms and Conditions

* I have read, understood and agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of Evening Standard

Registration

Mail Sent for Registration Confirmation.

A confirmation email has been sent. Please activate your account by clicking on the activation link sent in your mail box.

Manchester United pulled off a 1-0 victory at Fratton Park on Monday night and Redknapp admitted he could not see beyond the 'big two' of United and Chelsea - last season's winners and runners-up respectively.

"They are still so strong that I can see them and Chelsea being the two slugging it out again for the title," said Redknapp. "They will probably meet again in a repeat of the Champions League final too, I shouldn't wonder."

He added: "Certainly, I think Arsenal and Liverpool have it all on to finish above them.

"Chelsea were very strong last week and United will be even stronger than they are now if they sign Dimitar Berbatov (from Tottenham), as I think they will, in the next few days."

The difference between United, the European champions, and last season's unlikely FA Cup winners was just a scruffy 33rd-minute goal which arrived when Darren Fletcher's half-hit shot was helped into the net by French defender Sylvain Distin's frantic swipe on the line.

United's second win in six visits to Fratton Park left Pompey - who knocked them out of the FA Cup last March - with an unwanted club record of six Premier League defeats on the trot.

Redknapp's side lost their last four in the league last season when clearly distracted by thoughts of the Wembley final clash with Cardiff.

But Redknapp insisted: "We've been a good team over the past two seasons and I'm confident we'll be a decent team again. We are a new team with a few players just getting over injuries, and once we play a bit more and get to understand each other we will be okay."