Ancelotti earns a newfound respect

WHETHER Ferguson’s bleating about the referee was frustration at what he perceived as an injustice, or whether it was an attempt to give confidence back to a team that was second best on the day, only he knows, but although the referee didn’t have an outstanding game, Chelsea were deserving winners.

Let’s go through the controversial decisions very quickly: Park in the box – was touched but fell theatrically; Drogba: clearly offside: Neville on Anelka – stonewall penalty; Macheda – handball.

Ferguson should also count himself very lucky than Scholes wasn’t sent off before half time. Even the manager realised that the ginger one was living a charmed life and subbed him before he was shown red.