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John Terry today warned Chelsea's rivals they will be hard to catch after their 1-0 win over Manchester United put them five points clear at the top of the Premier League.
Chelsea led from the front when they clinched their last two championships in 2005 and 2006 and the England captain feels history is repeating itself. He said: “We're not going to settle for a five-point gap, we want to increase that lead.
“It's encouraging that we won both our titles leading from the front. That's in the back of our minds and it could be key for us. Fingers crossed we can do the same again.
“We have already won more games against the other teams in the Big Four than we did last season and that gives us confidence. It's a good psychological lift for us because it's where we lost it last year.
“Arsenal are looking good at the moment. They are free-flowing and scoring goals like they always do but when they pick up injuries they tend to miss some key players.
“Manchester United have some tough games coming up as well. It's important before we lose the African players in January that we build a big cushion.”
United boss Sir Alex Ferguson could find himself in trouble with the Football Association again after blasting referee Martin Atkinson for allowing Chelsea's second-half goal to stand.
Ferguson, who has already been charged with improper conduct for accusing referee Alan Wiley of being unfit, insisted Atkinson was wrong to award Chelsea a free-kick when Darren Fletcher challenged Ashley Cole.
He also claimed Didier Drogba fouled Wes Brown in the area as Frank Lampard crossed and was offside when Terry's header, which appeared to also hit Nicolas Anelka, went over the line.He said: “What can you do? There's nothing we can do about it, you lose faith in the referee sometimes.”
Brown also blamed Atkinson for the defeat and added: “I don't think the referee played well and we've been let down by that goal.”
Reader views (8)
Is anyone going to seriously suggest that Drogba did not have a right to show he was in pain after that Jonny Evans "tackle"? Overreaction? Certainly. Entirely unwarranted? Not so much. Evans should feel fortunate that all the talk is centred on the goal and the free kick that led to it rather than his ban-worthy assault on Drogba.
As for the ref, he had a shocker. From the penalty he failed to award when Terry hauled down Valencia to missing the Jonny Evans martial arts class, to the three-pronged screw up of giving a free kick for Fletcher's fair challenge on Cashley Cole then missing Drogba's clear foul on Wes Brown and and his subsequent offside and interference in play following the John Terry header.
United have reason to complain but, as Old Rednose knows, what goes around comes around...
- Speed Racer, Tokyo, Japan
Ferguson and his players show a shocking amount of self control. It is about time that football took a leaf out of the rugby playbook in only allowing the team captain to talk (being the point) to the referee.
The FA should fine him personally a meaningful amount to stop his whinging and criticism of the game.
On the other hand I would gladly contibute £100 to a fund to get rid of Drogba to Italy where he can prance, pout and dive to his heart's desire.
- Adam, London
Yet again old rednose blames the ref whenever his team lose. Yet he is remarkably silent and smug whenever his team benefit from ludicrous decisions such as phantom penalties, almost 10 minutes extra added time, Evans' two footed boot into Drogba's chest etc etc. He is an ungracious loser just like his team-- they came with a plan to bully and intimidate Chelsea and the referee-- sadly for them it didn't work this time. In fact I thought the referee was remarkably lenient despite the
crazed antics of Rooney, Fletcher and Evans.As for Gareth in Saudi we are very touched by your concern but you should be more worried about your Manager and Shrek self combusting into a pile of molten ash.
- Ashwin, london
Watch out for the Dark Horse; Arsenal are no mugs?
- Mickinlondon, london
Drogba did again over exagerate but the intent was there from Evans- he knew what he was doing going in for a mid air karate kick styled tackle - whatever Drogba´s reaction was Evans should have at least got a yellow card - then 10 mins later he fouls Carvalho and if he had already been on a yellow would have been curtains - facts are the fair result was a draw but apart from the sublime Rooney Chelsea had no real worries from Utd all game - since Ronaldo + Tevez have left Utd are nowhere near as strong - Arsenal or Chelsea for the title this season
- Melly, Cartagena, Colombia
Everytime the referee blew his whistle he was surrounded by snarling spitting Manchester United players.They are obviously taking a leaf out of their Managers book.
- Tojo, Hythe, Kent
Is Drogba ok? Will he walk again? I must admit I was very worried when I saw him convulsing uncontrollably, I thought he was having a fit or had swallowed his tongue. He showed remarkable powers of recovery when the ref gave him the yellow card for his reckless late tackle, he seemed to forget for a second that he had been shot by a sniper, perched high up on top of Stamford Bridge, but like a true (acting) professional, he clutched his leg, face, arm and stomach as he limped from the pitch. Oh I do hope he is ok, what a soft pudding, how embarrassing!
- Gareth, Saudi
United lost the game because of the referee's ineptitude, but it was heading for a draw and it really only made a difference of one point on the day. United's energy and enthusiasm in a five man midfield nullified Chelsea and it was clear that both teams set out not to lose. Boring, and definitely not the United way, which for the uninitiated was always best with two goal-scoring wingers and two strikers, home or away - we'll score more than you. The current midfield is long on energy but short on goal threat, directly or indirectly. Fergie knows this but with the Glazers saddling United with £800 million of their debt the time bomb ticks and money is already a major, major problem. Who would predict a soft landing?
- Barry1858, Welwyn
