Fergie rules Chelsea out of title race

SOCCER:ALEX FERGUSON has claimed Chelsea's dismissal of Luiz Felipe Scolari has "played into the hands" of Manchester United and rendered the title race a two-way fight between his reigning champions and Liverpool.

The United manager prepared for last night’s victory over Fulham with a brutal assessment of Roman Abramovich’s decision to sack the World Cup-winning coach just seven months into his Stamford Bridge tenure.

The dismissal, he claimed, not only illustrated the short-term mentality that exists at Chelsea but increased United’s chances of landing a third successive league title this season.

Ferguson, writing in the match programme, said: “I must say I was shocked that Chelsea should part so soon with a manager of such great experience and proven success as ‘Phil’ Scolari. Their haste is a reflection of the sad way the game is going, with everyone from owners, the board members, the supporters and the media demanding instant success, and showing absolutely no patience in the pursuit of their ambition.

“I would have thought it was self-evident that winning prizes comes with stability and long-term planning. Yet so often when a club is faced with a few problems, wisdom flies out of the window in the hope that a new man can bring a quick fix.

Chelsea have called in a very experienced manager in Guus Hiddink and I am sure that he will make an impact. At the same time, though, he has to start from scratch, perhaps putting together his own staff and gathering around him players of his choice which may take him time.”

United last night moved 10 points clear of Hiddink’s new charges, who sit fourth. Ferguson added: “Looking at the Chelsea situation from United’s point of view, I think they have played into our hands, and that the title race now is going to be between ourselves and Liverpool. However, I shall be keeping a wary eye on Aston Villa, who seem to have picked up the baton from Arsenal.”

On the brink of an 11th league title, Ferguson’s own longevity provides ample proof of what can be achieved with a stable backdrop.

In contrast, Chelsea have now gone through four managers since they last won the title, less than three years ago, with Jose Mourinho’s departure followed by that of Avram Grant and Scolari, with Hiddink now at the helm.

Meanwhile, Mark Clattenburg has successfully appealed against his sacking as an elite referee. The 33-year-old was dismissed following a disciplinary inquiry held by the Professional Game Match Officials limited last month for issues relating to his private business affairs.

But the Premier League confirmed that Clattenburg had challenged that decision, and that an appeal panel had ruled he should be handed a less severe punishment. He has therefore been banned for eight months from August 6th, 2008 – the date of his original suspension.