Alex Ferguson, perhaps in hope rather than expectation, has declared the title race reopened going into the final seven matches of the season. Ferguson had shut it several times this season, as far as January 3rd, but the Manchester United manager has reconsidered on the back of seven successive league wins.
The burst of form has reduced Chelsea's lead at the top of the Premiership from 15 points to nine. Paddy Power, the bookmaker that paid out on a Chelsea title last October, described their position as the equivalent of "leading 3-0 with five minutes remaining".
"I've always said football is an extraordinary game and there are always surprises waiting ahead," Ferguson said. "This weekend could be pivotal if Chelsea lose any points (at Birmingham City). If that happens it could be a real turning point . . . if we close the gap to six points when we still have Chelsea to play (on April 29th) then you never know."
United, indeed, are within six points of their title-winning tally in 1996-'97 and could end up with a record points total for a team finishing runners-up. Their undoing was losing 12 points before the end of October, when Ferguson experimented unsuccessfully with a 4-3-2-1 formation.
"The Premiership is so competitive these days that if you lose one or two games at the start of the season you could lose the league," said Ferguson. "But there's no point looking back at what happened with regret because we can still do something about it."
United have shown Chelsea they can mount a sustained challenge next season, when Ferguson expects Ole Gunnar Solskjaer to challenge Ruud van Nistelrooy, Louis Saha and Giuseppe Rossi for the right to play alongside Wayne Rooney in attack.
Ferguson's belief in Solskjaer was demonstrated yesterday when the Norwegian striker was awarded a two-year contract, a remarkable show of trust given his injury problems and United's policy of offering one-year deals to players over 30. Solskjaer has been informed when he retires from playing the club want him to continue either as a coach or in some kind of ambassadorial role.
The Newcastle United midfielder Emre Belozoglu, bought from Internazionale last summer for £3.8 million, said yesterday he is considering his future at the club. "Maybe for my first year, it has been a bit difficult for me and the team," Emre said. "Maybe I will be here next season, 70 or 80 per cent I will be here, because I have a five-year contract. I am not going to say I want to go because I do not have other possibilities. I am happy here."
The Turk's remarks will not endear him to the Tyneside public, or the hierarchy at St James' Park, particularly as Emre, signed by Graeme Souness, is reportedly on wages of some £3 million a year. But perhaps that was part of his plan, and it would not be the first time a foreign player has made such noises prior to a quick departure.
"When I joined Newcastle, I thought we could finish in the top six or even qualify for the Champions League," Emre said. "That is how I felt when I arrived. Now it's impossible . . . in the summer, I want to think about my future for next season."
Guardian Service
