To still have title chance after blip is a miracle

TO be in title contention after our disastrous extended blip is tantamount to a miracle.

When we were losing to the likes of Wolves and Birmingham I was worried about qualifying for the Champions League.

Yet here we are having equalled the longest winning streak in the league this season (also held by us) and having conceded considerably less goals than anyone else. I’m gobsmacked.

I’m sure that many will be raging at the way we won against Spurs but I wouldn’t be making any apologies.

We’ve all heard the argument for technology — so I’m not going to bore anyone with the pros and cons again.

It may not be a popular view, but I love the fact that we won with two questionable goals against Tottenham — makes then all the more bitter. They did little to actually try and win the game so got what they deserved.

Ancelotti is still an enigma to me — I can’t quite work him or his tactics out, but now is not the time to question it. I guess —if it’s working then so be it — but judging by the muted booing, I wasn’t the only one thinking Torres was having a great game before he was hauled off.

Again, I am not going to make a big deal out of it as we won, but I often think we win games more through luck than judgment.

But then my sensible head kicks in and reasonably argues that you don’t slash a 15 point lead over Manchester United to three points through good fortune alone.

There are some big decisions to be made Sunday which could decide the league title this year. The one that most will be debating is who he plays up front — Drogba and Torres? Drogba and Kalou? Drogba and Anelka? Drogba to start on the bench?

I’m not sure which is the best option. Equally as important though will be who makes up the midfield. Ancelotti has steadfastly stuck by Michael Essien since his return from injury despite his continual poor form. Ramires has grown in influence after a shaky start and could be argued to be our main playmaker. However since his injury return, Mikel has instantly made us more balanced, less fragile and more in control in the sector. I think the set-up here will determine whether or not we are sitting top of the Premier league table on Monday morning.

Fergie has already been trying to tip those psychological scales in his favour by putting the referee under pressure barely moments after the final whistle at the Emirates. He really is a piece of work — with no hint of irony or shame he speaks of how we are getting all the decisions and how we got them last year.

I would take this from anyone else but him. I am almost admiring that he has the balls to say it considering what they get away with.

If nothing else, I am ecstatic that United cannot technically win the title against us now — that would have been hard to stomach. It’s in our own hands which is as good as it gets.