United stumble opens the door for Chelsea
Sunday, April 22, 2007, 03:08:37 HRS

Sir Alex Ferguson admitted that Manchester United had opened the door for Chelsea to retain their Premiership title after his side were held to a 1-1 draw by Middlesbrough at Old Trafford.

The point extended United's lead at the top of the table to four points.

But Chelsea can cut that back to one by winning their game in hand, at Newcastle on Sunday, and, with United due to visit Stamford Bridge on May 9, the champions now have their destiny back in their own hands.

If Jose Mourinho's men win their five remaining games they will be champions for a third straight season.

"It opens the door for Chelsea, no doubt about that," said Ferguson, whose problems were compounded by an injury to centreback Rio Ferdinand, who is set to miss both legs of the Champions League semi-final against AC Milan.

"We always said that if we made mistakes, they (Chelsea) have got the ability to come back at us," Ferguson said. "The way I am looking at it is that we have got four games to go and it looks as if the decider is going to be at Chelsea. It will be some game."

United had got off to a perfect start when Richardson tapped the ball into the net after Wayne Rooney had broken clear and rounded goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer.

But Mark Viduka headed Boro back on level terms in first-half stoppage time and an increasingly nervy United were unable to force Schwarzer into a single save after the interval.