Ferguson blames referee for Arsenal loss

Sir Alex Ferguson believes referee Chris Foy got it wrong when he failed to award an 88th minute penalty.

LONDON: Sir Alex Ferguson insists Manchester United paid the price for a refereeing error in the 1-0 defeat against Arsenal as the Premier League title-race was blown wide open.

Ferguson believes referee Chris Foy got it wrong when he failed to award an 88th minute penalty following Gael Clichy’s clumsy challenge on Michael Owen. The United manager acknowledged that Arsenal had a good claim for a spot-kick turned down when Nemanja Vidic handled Theo Walcott’s cross in the first half.

“It’s too big a game not to get the decisions right,” said Ferguson.

Having seen Chelsea close the gap at the top to three points after benefiting from two dubious decisions in the 2-1 victory over Tottenham, Ferguson attempted to set the agenda ahead of the Blues’ decisive trip to Old Trafford.

Dalglish proud of Liverpool’s resurgence

Kenny Dalglish saluted Luis Suarez after the Uruguay forward helped Liverpool stroll to a 3-0 win over Newcastle in the Anfield sunshine.

The build up to Sunday’s game was all about Reds striker Andy Carroll and whether he would start against his old club but that issue was overshadowed by a brilliant Liverpool performance.

The win moves Liverpool above Tottenham into fifth and leaves them in the qualifying spot for the Europa League. Liverpool’s current form has seen them take 30 points from what could have been 42 and interim boss Dalglish is set to be confirmed as permanent manager by the end of the season.

City worthy of Champions League, says Mancini

Roberto Mancini believes Manchester City are on course to meet their targets for the season after closing in on Champions League qualification with a 2-1 win over West Ham.

With the chance to end City’s 35-year trophy drought in the FA Cup final against Stoke on May 14, his team is now seven points clear of Liverpool and Tottenham in the league. With four games left, six points will definitely secure a place for City in Europe’s top competition for the first time.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 3^rd, 2011.