Ferguson blames referee for Man Utd's loss to Chelsea

Alex Ferguson blames referee Atkinson for Man Utd's 0-1 loss to Chelsea

Alex Ferguson blames referee Atkinson for Man Utd's 0-1 loss to Chelsea

Alex Ferguson took another swipe at a referee as Manchester United's Premier League title hopes were dealt a blow at Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea and Manchester United players argue with referee Martin Atkinson during their EPL game at Stamford Bridge yesterday. Chelsea won 1-0. PIC/AFP

The United boss, who branded Alan Wiley "unfit" last month, this time claimed referee Martin Atkinson's decisions which led to Chelsea's goal in a 1-0 victory were the kind which lead managers and players to "lose faith in refereeing".

Atkinson awarded a free-kick for Darren Fletcher's challenge on Ashley Cole, and Wes Brown appeared to be impeded as Frank Lampard's delivery was turned into the net by a combination of captain John Terry and Nicolas Anelka.

An angry Ferguson told Sky Sports: "Clearly, Darren Fletcher won the ball. Ashley Cole was never touched and has jumped up in the air. And then (Didier) Drogba's pulled Brown to the ground for the goal.

"The referee's position to make the decision was absolutely ridiculous he can't see anything. He's got a Chelsea player (Joe Cole) standing right in front of him and he doesn't even move.

"It was a bad decision, but there's nothing we can do about it. You lose faith in refereeing sometimes, that's the way the players are talking in there it was a bad one." Ferguson stopped short of blaming Atkinson for his side's defeat, which leaves them trailing leaders Chelsea by five points.

He said: "That goal should never have been allowed. We've dominated the game. We've had great chances to win the match, and that's our fault.

"We had great opportunities to get to the edge of the box and some really good chances in and around the box, but we should be finishing it off.

"We've only ourselves to blame in that respect. But you do need a break and we never got the break we needed."

Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti admitted Drogba might have been offside for Chelsea's goal but said: "It was very difficult for the linesman to see. There was a lot of concentration of players in the box.