Claudio told Sky Sports: "I'd like to win the title. If it was decided by just two games and we now had to go to Manchester and play a second leg, we'd have a chance.

"But it's too early to look at it now, although we're very pleased with this great result against the champions. It will give us very good confidence, without thinking about the title.

"When I compare today's performance to the level Manchester United and Arsenal are at, I would say we played well and showed good character - but we must be like Manchester and keep possession of the ball better.

"We would do that if we were at the same level as Manchester. Instead, we were we were waiting for Manchester to do something. We must control games better in the second half. Now we must keep working and all I know is work, work and work.''

"Most of my players played in the Champions League so were a little tired. Five or six United players didn't play in midweek so we must also think about that.''



And here's what Sir Alex Ferguson had to say: "We didn't do enough to say we could have won the game - but we deserved something out of it.

"The first thing to say about the penalty is that Joe Cole was not in control of the ball and the second is that Roy Keane definitely got a touch to it. I also thought Cole was going way from goal.

"We feel a bit unlucky about it and the players were upset. It was a major decision and took us 10 minutes to get our composure back."

Asked about Chelsea's title aspirations, Fergie said "I said before the game they're winning games 1-0 - and 1-0s take you a long way. It's early, too early, to say at this stage. In February, March and April the games are really meaningful.

"If we lost this game in March it would be a major result for Chelsea. But it's not March, it's November. There is a long way to go. Four points is not a lot in this league now. If Chelsea were four points ahead in March it would be more of a consequential issue.

"I know my players and their character and it will surface at the right times.''