Fly past: Rooney takes a tumble after contact with the
beaten David Luiz
Sir Alex Ferguson exploded in fury at referee
Martin Atkinson on Tuesday night and questioned his integrity after
seeing Manchester United slump to defeat at Chelsea and miss the
chance to take a firm grip on the title race.
Frank Lampard scored the winner from a disputed penalty
but Ferguson was most angry that David Luiz escaped a red card
after a cynical foul on Wayne Rooney, who opened the scoring with a
25-yard screamer.
Luiz had earlier equalised with
a terrific volley and it was United who finished with 10 men after
Nemanja Vidic was sent off for second booking - leaving United with
a defensive crisis for Sunday's trip to Liverpool.
'You want a fair ref,' fumed
Ferguson on MUTV. 'I don't know how he got this game. When I saw
who was refereeing it, I did fear the worst. It's been three years
in a row now down here.'
Ferguson's comments will risk an
FA misconduct charge and touchline ban, especially as he has
previous with Atkinson, clashing with him after an FA Cup defeat at
home to Portsmouth in 2008.
The same referee was also in charge when United lost at
Stamford Bridge last season and the United boss disputed the
free-kick which led to John Terry's winning goal.
Despite conceding before the kick-off that Rooney was
lucky to play after escaping a ban for an elbow on Wigan's James
McCarthy on Saturday, Ferguson was quick to accuse Atkinson of
letting Luiz off the hook. The Brazilian was already in the book
when he made bad challenges on Rooney and Javier 'Chicharito'
Hernandez.
Ferguson said: 'I don't know how he's on the pitch. He's done
Chicharito off the ball. Nothing's done and the referee's in front
of it. He's done Rooney, clear as day, and he's six yards from him.
Doesn't do anything. These decisions change the game. You hope you
get a really strong referee in games like this. And we didn't get
that.
The penalty was so soft - deary, deary me.'
Bitter pill to swallow: The United manager hit out at referee
Atkinson after the final whistle
Ferguson claimed he did not have a clear view of the
second yellow card which led to a red for Vidic but said Barclays
Premier League champions Chelsea, 12 points adrift of his team,
could win still the title if they continue to benefit from lenient
officials.
'If they keep getting decisions like tonight, it could change
everything,' said the United boss. Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti
wasn't so sure. 'It's too far,' he said. 'But this victory is
important for us and our confidence. We were able to stay focused
even when we were losing 1-0, and showed strength, power and
intensity in the second half.'
United are four points clear of Arsenal at the top but have
played a game more and face a stern test at Liverpool without
Vidic, who is suspended, and Rio Ferdinand, who will not be back
from injury. Wes Brown and Chris Smalling are likely to play in
central defence.
Lucky Luiz: The Chelsea defender celebrates his first goal for
the club but he was fortunate not to see red
One item of consolation for United was Ryan Giggs, who
came on as a substitute to equal Sir Bobby Charlton's record of 606
League appearances.
'He's a phenomenal man,' said Ferguson. 'He deserves all the
accolades because he's an example to the game and to any young
player.'
Does this make Atkinson a worse referee than Clattenburg? Come
on, referees are human. Humans make mistakes all the time. Both
officials had their share of mistakes, but just because one made
the decision that played to MUFC's advantage doesn't mean shit. At
the end of the day, video replays are most accurate, and the FA can
review that and take the necessary action.
