Fergie cries foul after unhappy trip to London

THIS was definitely a city break to forget for Alex Ferguson.

Warming up for his side’s trip to the Emirates Stadium, the Manchester United boss journeyed across town on Saturday to watch Chelsea, their nearest rivals in the title race, and witnessed a shocker of a decision that gifted Carlo Ancelotti’s side a route back from a losing position against Spurs.

It could have been worse. Had Ferguson stuck around for the last 15 minutes of that game instead of leaving early to beat the traffic, he would have seen a second howler from the match officials when Salomon Kalou scored the winner from an offside position.

Frustrating, but these things happen.

At least the manger could draw comfort that his side’s fate was still in their own hands going into yesterday’s game. It still is, although having seen his side struggle for fluency and afflicted by a lack of conviction, that does not provide the sense of reassurance it once did.

And it didn’t help that, from the Scot’s perspective, his side were again the victims of dubious refereeing decisions.

His main issue was with Chris Foy’s failure to interpret Gael Clichy’s 88th-minute challenge on Michael Owen as being worthy of a penalty.

It probably was, although it was a less apparent offence than Nemanja Vidic’s first-half handball that should have also attracted the double penalty of a red card.

Unsurprisingly, Ferguson didn’t see it that way.

“It’s too big a game not to get the decisions right,’’ he said. “It balances out in that respect but I think it was difficult to see that one (Vidic’s handball) but the one at the end, Clichy knew, he put his hands up in horror.’’

Classic one-eyed football manager speak, but these things can have an effect and with Chelsea’s visit to Old Trafford next Sunday now potentially season-defining, Ferguson will not pass up any opportunity to gain an advantage.

This showing suggests he needs to. The reaction to the impressive victory over Schalke last week always carried the risk of being excessive, particularly as that performance came on the back of three underwhelming displays against Manchester City, Newcastle United and Everton that had yielded just one goal.

Now it is that game that appears the odd one out and while the two-goal cushion from the first leg should be more than enough to prevent an unexpected turnaround, it is certainly time for Ferguson’s side to show their mettle.

Established wisdom has it that this is the time when United really fire, the time when Ferguson’s experience and his players’ quality combine to create an unstoppable force.

That may have been the case in the past, but in north London yesterday, they were too easily halted by an Arsenal side freed of the burden of expectation and fuelled by a sense of under-achievement.

Wayne Rooney offered only glimpses of his usual form while Nani had one of his more frustrating days. Starved of service, Javier Hernandez failed to get a clear sight of goal and with precious little invention coming from the heart of midfield — Anderson and Michael Carrick were a study in inertia — United failed to fire.

Their best period came, inevitably, in the final 20 minutes when they were chasing the game, although even then Wojciech Szczesny was criminally underworked.

Dimitar Berbatov came on to glide around elegantly but ineffectively while Michael Owen simply didn’t have enough time to make more than a fleeting impression .

Schalke are an obstacle that must now be overcome as comfortably as possible before Chelsea visit.

Ancelotti’s side have renewed confidence and, having seen the title race swing Chelsea’s way at Old Trafford last season when Didier Drogba clinched victory with an offside goal, Ferguson is anxious to avoid a repeat.

“Obviously, it gives Chelsea a major chance now and that’s what happens when you get these decisions. They got one at Old Trafford last season so that’s the worry now.

“But in terms of ability — a game at Old Trafford, the supporters will be ready for it — and so will our players.’’

They had better be. This was a missed opportunity, but then this title race has been littered with them.