ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE TITLE RACE:GUUS HIDDINK warned Manchester United that they could still "stumble" as Alex Ferguson's champions pursue a third successive Premier League title. Hiddink's ability to plot a way to victory was displayed in memorable fashion during Chelsea's 3-1 defeat of Liverpool in the opening leg of the clubs' Champions League quarter-final.
That victory, which turned on the Dutchman’s successful deployment of Michael Essien as Steven Gerrard’s shadow, has given Chelsea vital momentum as they embark upon their season’s run home which starts today when Bolton visit Stamford Bridge.
“When you are on top, as Man United are, and you have a game in hand, it is a luxury. But you must be aware that you can stumble,” Hiddink said, before recalling his experience leading PSV Eindhoven to six Eredivisie titles in two tenures at the Dutch club. “I had that in Holland. They were all in front. There were some championships when we knew at the start of March that we had won the title.”
How does he feel about now having to chase? “Being a predator is new to me. I don’t like it because I like to be on the other side and stay away from the predators. There is more pressure on the chasers, Liverpool and us, as we cannot drop any points. That’s why it’s a big pity we dropped three at Tottenham.”
What are Chelsea’s chances of winning a first championship in three years? “The others must stumble and we must not fail by dropping a point. That’s difficult. And next week we face the FA Cup (against Arsenal in next Saturday’s semi-final), a big game against a big club.
“But let’s take the first step in Bolton and then face the difficult game at the Bridge on Tuesday,” he added of the return leg with Liverpool.
Hiddink resisted the temptation to expand too much on why United have suffered a stumble in losing league games to Liverpool and Fulham before squeezing a last-minute win over Aston Villa.
Ferguson’s team also conceded two away goals in the draw with Porto in the opening leg of their Champions League quarter-final, which could yet prove decisive. “I can’t judge Manchester United at a distance. It’s about details in your own performance on and off the pitch. You must ask them.
“In a season, you have unexpected losses of points. They can explain better. But they have some players absent who can be decisive,” Hiddink said, referring to United’s recent missing personnel which have included Dimitar Berbatov, Nemanja Vidic, Rio Ferdinand, Paul Scholes and Wayne Rooney. Guardian Service
Ferguson dismisses notion of player fatigue
ALEX FERGUSON has dismissed talk of tiredness affecting Manchester United and instead told his team to stop conceding stupid goals.
“Some people said we looked tired on Tuesday,” reflected Ferguson in reference to the 2-2 Champions League draw with Porto.
“We looked tired in the first half and were short of sharpness and rhythm in our game.
“But we did well in the second. There is nothing wrong there. We just have to stop these silly goals.”
“There is a watershed for everything,” said Ferguson, whose team play Sunderland today. “Hopefully we reached it on Tuesday night because that late goal was a real kick in the teeth.”
