CARRICK - REFS MUST GET IT RIGHT
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Manchester United midfielder Michael Carrick has urged officials to get the big decisions right in important matches.
As the Red Devils now prepare for Sunday's visit to bitter rivals Liverpool, a fresh examination of their Premier League credentials is emerging.
And with Arsenal breathing down their necks, Sir Alex Ferguson's team can ill afford any more slip-ups.
Sir Alex Ferguson criticised referee Martin Atkinson after the final whistle at Chelsea and Carrick agrees that the key decisions went against United.
The 29-year-old was also frustrated by the way his side lost their way somewhat in the second half after taking the lead through Wayne Rooney's fine strike in the opening period.
David Luiz equalised for the Blues in the 54th minute before Frank Lampard blasted home a late penalty to seal United's demise.
"It is disappointing, especially after the first half and the way we played," Carrick reflected on the result.
"We were in control. Second half we weren't as quick and decisive in our passing as we were in the first half, but we still felt quite comfortable and I still thought we might score again.
"Some decisions didn't go our way and we're on the end of a defeat, which is very hard to take.
"That type of decision plays a huge part in the game. Big decisions you've got to get right, especially in a game of this importance, so we're disappointed.
"You have to get big decisions right in games of that importance."
The criticism of Atkinson over his failure to send David Luiz off for tripping Wayne Rooney immediately before awarding Chelsea their match-winning penalty for a debatable Chris Smalling foul on Yuri Zhirkov drew a stinging rebuke from Ferguson.
Although the United boss might have kept his counsel and reflected on the changing fortunes of a game that should have left him playing with just 10 men at Wigan three days earlier, Ferguson opted to let fly with both barrels.
"You want a fair referee, or a strong referee anyway - and we didn't get that," he said.
"I must say, when I saw who the referee was I feared it. I feared the worst."
Given the United boss already has the remaining two matches of a four-game touchline ban hanging over him following scathing comments about Alan Wiley's fitness last season, a further spell in the stands appears inevitable if misconduct is proved.
The FA have until 6pm tomorrow to charge Ferguson, although that may just fuel a sense of injustice at Old Trafford ahead of what is now a vital trip to Liverpool on Sunday when far more than local pride will be at stake.
Carrick is confident Manchester United will bounce back from the disappointment of losing to Chelsea when they travel to Anfield.
"At the moment we feel pretty down, but we can move on quickly. We have to," the midfielder told MUTV.
"We're used to doing that and we're normally good at that, so hopefully we can bounce back again.
"We have to get rid of this game, forget about it and move on. It's obviously a huge game on Sunday and we'll be ready for that. We have to be.
"That's the nature of the beast. We move on and we take a lot of positives from tonight and look to put things right that didn't go well. We'll be ready."
Meanwhile, United defender John O'Shea has claimed Ryan Giggs could still be playing at 40.
Giggs has now completed 20 years as a first-team player and even though many of Giggs' team-mates have been around Old Trafford for some considerable time themselves, they are lost in admiration for the 37-year-old.
And, having signed a one-year contract extension earlier this year, O'Shea feels Giggs could carry on for at least another three years.
"Without a doubt," said the Republic of Ireland star.
"His physical shape hasn't changed since I've known him and he looks after himself so well.
"Depending on injuries he could easily carry on, although I am sure he just wants to take it one season at a time.
"He is just enjoying it so much at the minute so I can't see why he can't but I'll let him decide on that."
If nothing else, last night's game allowed Giggs to equal Sir Bobby Charlton's record of 606 league appearances, another record in addition to the scores the Welshman already has.
Indeed, in the modern era, the only player O'Shea can think of that is remotely comparable is recently-retired Italian legend Paolo Maldini.
"You see how the manager has built squads and Giggsy has been a vital part of every single one of them," he said.
"It's just incredible. Maldini springs to mind with AC Milan but I think Giggsy has even gone past him.
"The speed and the balance he still shows to go past whether it be an old, experienced defender or a new, up-and-coming young strong defender is incredible.
"Every cliche in the book has been used about the man already and I am sure they will be said many times again.
"He is an absolute legend."