Ferguson blames Elleray

Alex Ferguson declared after last night's game at Anfield that referee David Elleray made the crucial decisions which turned the tide against Manchester United and allowed Liverpool to steal two late goals in the 2-2 draw.

Ferguson thought his men had all three points when they led 2-0 in the second half, saying: "I couldn't see them scoring."

He also hailed his club's attacking play. "The quality of the first goal was absolutely magnificent," he said. "It was a marvellous cross and a great header and the second goal should have killed it off. But you never know in the game of football.

"I think it's fair to say we would have won the game but for the referee and we're just not going to let them deny us the opportunity. We'll recover from it. It looks as if it could go to goal difference now."

Ferguson refuses to say that Arsenal have the advantage. "We've got the game in hand. It could make a difference. When you've got that game in hand, you can win it."

"You don't expect to come back from 2-0 down against a world class team like United," said Liverpool's Paul Ince, who scored the equaliser. "We've taken a lot of stick here this season but we showed great spirit tonight."

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger insisted the title race is still in Manchester United's hands despite their 3-1 win at Tottenham.

Despite Arsenal having a better goal difference by one, Wenger said: "It's still in the hands of Manchester United. "If we win all the games and they win all the games, we might have a problem because they have scored more goals.

"The one thing we have said all along is that we must do as well as we can and don't give anything away. After that, no matter what has happened it is a great achievement for us.

"That was a huge game for us," added Wenger. "We knew we wanted the three points and we deserved them. We played great, as a unit and as a team, we looked sharp and our passing was good.

"What can you say as a manager? I am just happy that the players gave everything tonight, they showed a real desire to win."

Wenger claimed he only concentrated on the game at White Hart Lane tonight although he found out late on that Ince had equalised for Liverpool.

"I was not really aware until the last minute, I didn't even know at half-time. Then a supporter behind me in the dug-out told me that Liverpool had equalised in the last minute."

Asked if he preferred to have points in the bag rather than games in hand, Wenger replied: "You can't say they (United) are facing extra pressure because at this stage of the season you must want to win every game.

"The games are so important when you have only two left. Everybody will study all the different cases, but I think if Manchester United win their games, it's still in their hands."

After a tempestuous match in the battle for third place, Leeds manager David O'Leary accused World Cup winning defender Frank Leboeuf of feigning injury after Chelsea clinched a place in the Champions' League.

"One moment Leboeuf was limping and the next he was running around as if there was nothing wrong with him, so I'll let you decide what I think. But my player said he never touched him.

"As he came off afterwards he told me that he had got a World Cup winners medal but I told him that I'd got a few medals of my own from my 800 or so games. Centre-halves used to be made of different stuff in my day."