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Monday, 22 January 2007, 13:26 GMT

Alan Hansen's column

By Alan Hansen
BBC Sport football expert

"The big thing with Mourinho is that he seems to be resigned to defeat"
A downbeat Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho at Anfield with his side on their way to a 2-0 defeat by Liverpool

I thought a draw would have probably been a fair result between Arsenal and Manchester United.

Manchester United played and defended really well but Arsenal showed a different side to them.

We all know they are great to watch but they showed tremendous character to dig deep and score two late goals.

The 2-1 victory was a fantastic result for the Gunners and, basically, what it does is keep the Premiership alive because if Manchester United had won it was all over.

Stranger things have happened and you can never rule out anything but still, for me, there are only two teams, in Manchester United and Chelsea, who can win it.

For Liverpool and Arsenal to get back into it they would have to win every game but Manchester United would also have to lose four times and, the way that they have been playing and how they played yesterday, I would be surprised if that happens.

If United keep playing like they are then they will win the Premiership.

I thought Liverpool were fantastic and Chelsea were woeful.

"If Chelsea are going to get back into the title race then they are going to have to sort out their problems quickly"

The centre-backs are missing for Chelsea but you have got two experienced players in as replacements.

Teams have had makeshift defences before but, to be honest, they were just awful. Not only defensively but in terms of effort, attitude and commitment.

There are obviously problems between Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho and owner Roman Abramovich - and once those problems filter into the dressing room and on to the pitch you have got massive trouble.

We have seen that in recent weeks but, more importantly, on Saturday.

The big thing with Mourinho is that he seems to be resigned to defeat, which is not like him.

If you saw him and Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson on the touchline it was like night and day.

If Chelsea are going to get back into the title race then they are going to have to sort out their problems quickly.

Charlton manager Alan Pardew has given the club hope of beating relegation

Looking at the relegation battle, the 1-0 win at Portsmouth was a big result for Charlton and it makes things very interesting.

I thought West Ham were unlucky with the draw at Newcastle and Wigan are in freefall.

It just shows you that if you have results either way - meaning the bottom teams have a couple of good results and the teams who think they are relatively safe have a bad run - then you are right in the mix.

For a long time Charlton looked dead and buried but boss Alan Pardew has given them renewed hope, strength and heart.

They have got some difficult fixtures but, like he said, they have then got a lot of home games that are winnable.

The problem with West Ham is that draws are not good enough. They need to start getting wins.

They should have had three points on Saturday but you cannot legislate for horrific refereeing decisions. Scott Parker was offside for Newcastle's first goal.

The current offside rule is the worst in football. You have to be a lunatic to believe that Parker was not interfering with play.

The bottom is like the top in as much as you don't want it done and dusted by the first week of February and there are lots of twists and turns left.




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Related to this story:

Find archive Hansen columns - and subscribe (16 Jan 07 |  Football )
Arsenal 2-1 Man Utd (21 Jan 07 |  Premiership )
Man Utd will bounce back - Wenger (22 Jan 07 |  Premiership )
Liverpool 2-0 Chelsea (20 Jan 07 |  Premiership )
Lampard agent cool over new deal (22 Jan 07 |  Chelsea )
Kenyon denies Chelsea unrest talk (21 Jan 07 |  Chelsea )
Portsmouth 0-1 Charlton (20 Jan 07 |  Premiership )
Newcastle 2-2 West Ham (20 Jan 07 |  Premiership )
Wigan 0-2 Everton (21 Jan 07 |  Premiership )

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