Furious Ferguson hits out at Foy and Ballack
The United manager accused Ballack of playacting, suggested the German should have been sent off for an elbow on Patrice Evra and heavily criticised the official’s decision to allow Chelsea’s second goal at Wembley.
Frank Lampard shot home from 20 yards in the 71st minute despite United defender Patrice Evra lying prone on the turf after being pole-axed by Ballack, who had come on as a substitute moments before.
“The referee’s made a rod for his own back,’’ Ferguson said. “He’d stopped the game twice already so we’re disappointed.
“The least he should have done is stop the game. It’s hard to blame the Chelsea players but it’s an area I’m concerned about. We’ve got to find a solution to it.
“If the referee sees Ballack’s challenge properly, it’s a red card. He’s elbowed him clearly, so he’s lucky. The referee was in line and should have seen it. Ballack had gone down earlier in the game, which we have seen before. When players are acting to get the game stopped, it’s hard.’’
It was not simply the referee’s decision-making and Ballack’s theatrics which darkened Ferguson’s mood.
He was also dismayed at seeing Nani, who had fired United into an early lead, suffer a suspected dislocated his shoulder after a nasty fall early in the second half.
That is sure to condemn the Portuguese winger to a lengthy spell on the sidelines and leaves United’s squad looking dangerously thin with the start of the competitive season just six days away.
Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti has no such concerns and reflected contentedly on winning silverware in his very first game in charge at Stamford Bridge.
“This win is important because we can now trust in our potential,’’ he said. “We are happy to win, but we have to think about the season now.
“I like the players, their mental attitude, the organisation of the club, and I think that we are ready to start a very important season for us.’’
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