Tell me how many times you've read this lead in an EPL story: Sir AlexFerguson will receive no action from the FA over his criticism of"enter official's name here." You could argue that this is the problem.Sir Alex is so used to his words having an effect on the officials, andthus the game, that maybe he doesn't remember what it's like to just bethe manager. That said, does he have a gripe about the foul and ensuingfree kick that lead to the deciding goal? Probably. (Absolutey, if youwere to believe the United fan ... I mean, journalist ... who wrote thegame recap for Yahoo sports.)

In a game that had becomerather physical, it's hard to see a foul called on Fletcher's play atAshley Cole. However, if you're a fan of basketball then you know allabout the make-up call. That's what I believe happened here. Earlier,Jonny Evans karate kicked Didier Drogba in the chest; a play that, hadit been viewed correctly by Martin Atkinson, would have yeilded apenalty and possibly even a sending off. Instead, the result was ayellow card to Drogba for ... well ... I'm not sure. Clearly Drogba'sreputation as a flopper saved Evans on the play and the fourth officialreceived an earful from the Chelsea sidelines. Not long after, the freekick on the wing was awarded and set up the goal.


                                                               


Drogba doesimpede Wes Brown but Brown is hardly in any position to make a play onthe ball. I would like to think that this went into account whenAtkinson let the play stand but he likely wanted to keep his name outof the papers by disallowing the only goal in a very important anddecidedly utilitarian game. To that point, Sir Alex is not too far offbase. The official's decision may have been affected by the air of themoment and that shouldn't happen. However, as Drogba's reputation as aflopper has a tendency to let opposing players (like Jonny Evans) getaway with fouls, so too does the incessant whining from the Unitedmanager tire everyone with earshot including the FA.

Sir Alex'swords all season have crossed the line from criticism to out-and-outcomplaining. Calling officials fat and implying that others have it outfor him, it's all getting very old from the most accomplished managerin England. And because every United loss seems to be immediatelyfollowed by his ranting and raving about the officiating, his latestcomplaint will fall on deaf ears. I translate the FA's "no action" asnot lending relevance to an eternally critical voice. Sir Alex probablyhas a legitimate complaint, but it's a complaint that will ultimatelyfall on deaf ears.

Rematch is April 3rd at Old Trafford. You'll be watching.

Controversyaside, I was happy to see John Terry (THERE'S ONLY ONE ENGLANDCAPTAIN!) get the deciding goal after it had been released that hisfather was kicked out of a local bar over a cocaine deal. A littlepositivity goes a long way during family troubles.    

Nick Degel, The Official Chelsea Blogger of the Goalmouth Scramble