Manchester United manager confident of catching Chelsea

AFP - 22 November 2008 21:25

Manchester United´s midfielder Park Ji-Sung (R) is challenged by Aston Villa´s Gabriel Agbonlahor during their Premier League football match at Villa Park in Birmingham in England. Manchester United missed the chance to close the gap on Premier League leaders Chelsea as the champions were held to a 0-0 draw at Aston Villa on Saturday.

BIRMINGHAM, England (AFP) - Alex Ferguson insists Manchester United's English Premier League title challenge is still alive despite being eight points off the pace.

The Red Devils missed a glorious chance to close the gap on leaders Chelsea and second-placed Liverpool to just six points, with a game in hand.

But, after the top two had earlier both been held to 0-0 draws, United turned in a subdued performance Saturday at Villa Park -- a ground where they had won on their 11 previous visits -- and were themselves held to a goalless stalemate.

It might have been worse for Ferguson had not referee Chris Foy turned down loud home appeals for a second-half penalty.

Third-placed United could fall further behind in the title race when they travel to Japan next month to take part in the 2008 Club World Cup.

"We are going to be two games behind when we get to January. But I think we can make it up," Ferguson said of the gap between United and the leaders.

"If we can get to within two or three points of the leaders by New Year's Day it would be a great feeling for us. It would put us in with a great chance.

"It's not difficult, not with our club. We're capable of winning runs as everyone knows."

United flirted with throwing away their 22-match unbeaten run against Villa, who created the best chances.

Villa midfielder Ashley Young twice tested United's goalkeeper Edwin van der Saar, but the game's big talking point was Foy's decision not to award the home side a 59th minute penalty after Nemanja Vidic brought down Gabriel Agbonlahor.

He was through on goal, but Vidic pulled the England striker back by his shirt before both players tumbled over just inside the penalty box.

Villa boss Martin O'Neill claimed Vidic should have been sent off.

"It was the major decision of the game," he said. "I can understand the referee not being sure whether it was a penalty but the foul was a sending-off offence.

"I'm the first to acknowledge how difficult it is to referee games, but that was a big moment and he chose to ignore it."

Ferguson, though, believed the official got it right.

"Vidic clearly got the ball, he was goal side of the player. Agbonlahor was always going to find it difficult to go around him," he said.

"I don't think it was anywhere near a penalty kick."

The point edged Villa up to fourth place, ahead of Arsenal, who they beat 2-0 away at Emirates Stadium in their previous game.

But O'Neill continues to play down suggestions that his side are now genuine contenders for a top four spot.

"We've just had two big games back to back, and, after losing our previous two matches against Newcastle and Middlesbrough, they have renewed our self-belief.

"We've played all top four sides now and been beaten once. And that was at Chelsea, who were magnificent on the day.

"The lads we have here are young and enjoying their football immensely. They are playing well and know when they are fit they will be in the team.

"But we have been playing competitively since July because of the Intertoto Cup. At some time I think it will catch up.

"We didn't really hit the heights we reached at Arsenal, and didn't create as many chances, but this was always going to be a tight game.

"We usually play well for half an hour against Manchester United, get in front, and then they beat us."

Ferguson gambled on the fitness of Wayne Rooney, who was pulled out of England's 2-1 win over Germany in Berlin on Wednesday, but the striker was below par and missed United's best chance when he blazed over in the second half.