FERGUSON GIVES IN

From Teamtalk:

"We have accepted the situation," said Ferguson. "Chelsea are not going to fall away. Even last weekend we wondered whether Portsmouth might get something because they were struggling and fighting for their lives. But then Frank Lampard scores again and it just changed the whole picture.

"Chelsea's strength is that they do not concede. That is what makes them such a formidable outfit so now the challenge for us all is to finish second."

"Obviously we have to make sure they don't dominate," added Ferguson.

"There is a possibility of achieving that because we have an emerging team. But it is a big challenge because we know they have fantastic resources financially. Everyone expects them to get rid of three or four fringe players this summer and bring in another four or five.

"It would not be a complete evolution but there would be a change in personnel which keeps things fresh. It seems that is the way they are looking to operate."