'Manchester United continue to cling doggedly to Jose Mourinho's famous charcoal-grey coat-tails, but even Sir Alex Ferguson's thoughts are beginning to focus on the need for Chelsea to emulate Devon Loch over the Premiership's final furlongs.
"It has happened before," observed Ferguson yesterday when asked whether only a Devon Loch collapse would unseat Mourinho's men. "Chelsea are not playing well but they keep winning. Chelsea are getting the breaks. That sending-off of James Beattie at Everton [on Saturday], Jeez, I couldn't believe it. But Chelsea may lose a game at home when nobody expects it."
Ferguson's side kept in stride with Chelsea, albeit still nine points behind, by defeating their neighbours in this squally contest at Eastlands. "I have seen United make up nine-point leads before - at first hand," came the rueful verdict from Kevin Keegan, City's manager. "United can keep going but Chelsea can keep going as well."
At least United can take real heart from the thrilling form of Wayne Rooney, a persistent menace in the second half yesterday, scoring one and forcing Richard Dunne to concede another. "Like all great players, Wayne raises his game when it really matters," said Ferguson.
"With Chelsea winning, we knew we had to win to stay in the race," said Rooney, who will have reminded the watching Sven-Goran Eriksson of his precocity when unleashed through the middle. "I was up front on my own which is my preferred position," added the England international.