Ferguson said: “We are playing well and with a lot of confidence

“Sometimes in these situations, there is a tendency to look over your shoulder and concentrate on the team that is chasing.

“I prefer to look forward because we have some really promising games coming up.”

Chelsea saw off Middlesbrough at Stamford Bridge with two goals from Didier Drogba and an own goal from Abel Xavier keeping them in touch with the leaders.

The Blues have now won their last five games and Jose Mourinho wants his side to maintain the pressure on United.

Mourinho said: “I wanted Chelsea to win and win and win and, in the main, that is what we have done. Now we must keep on doing it.”

A controversial penalty gave Newcastle a 2-1 win over Liverpool at a soaked St James’ Park.

Liverpool went ahead through Craig Bellamy but Obafemi Martins equalised before Nolberto Solano hit the winner from the penalty spot.

United boss Glen Roeder hailed the spirit of defender Celestine Babayaro who played just hours after learning his younger brother had died at a London hospital after losing his battle against tuberculosis.

Roeder said: “His younger brother has been suffering from tuberculosis and at 11.30pm on Friday night, he lost his life.

“After consulting his older brothers, who thought his younger brother would have wanted him to play, he came out and played.”

Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez said his side should have capitalised on their first-half chances.

He said: “After the first half, the score could have been 0-3 or 0-4. But we conceded a stupid goal and then a stupid penalty, and after that, it is difficult to win.”

Bolton briefly went into fourth place following their 2-1 win over Fulham.

Gary Speed opened the scoring from the penalty spot and Kevin Nolan added a second. But Zat Knight pulled one back and Bolton boss Sam Allardyce had goalkeeper Jussi Jaaskelainen to thank for a crucial save in the dying moments.

Allardyce said: “He is the best goalkeeper in the Premiership. That save proved it.”

Arsenal leapfrogged back into fourth place though later on Sunday afternoon - coming from behind yet again to beat struggling Wigan.

The Latics took a shock lead on 35 minutes with a brilliant strike from Dutch midfielder Denny Landzaat but an own goal from Fitz Hall and a winner from Tomas Rosicky gave Arsenal victory.

Wigan boss Paul Jewell was furious with referee Phil Dowd who failed to award a penalty when Emile Heskey was fouled by Mathieu Flamini late in the second half.

Jewell blasted: “I thought we should have had a penalty which would hopefully have made it 2-0.

“It is a penalty. He (Flamini) puts his hand on his shoulder. Why would Emile want to go down? Some of the officials don’t understand the game.

“He (Dowd) has cost our team the points. It could cost us £50million.”

West Ham manager Alan Curbishley refused to condemn the fans after they lost a relegation battle to bottom club Watford 1-0 at Upton Park thanks to Darius Henderson’s penalty.

The fans chanted that the players were “not fit to wear the shirts” and to make matters worse Marlon Harewood missed a second-half penalty.

Curbishley said: “It’s not nice but the fans – and I’m not patronising them - have been constant in their support for us. They have turned out in their droves and got behind us from the kick-off but we haven’t delivered.”

Andrew Johnson scored an early winner for Everton against Blackburn at Goodison Park just days after missing England’s friendly with Spain through an ankle injury.

Everton boss David Moyes said: “He has an ankle injury, he is still carrying it, but he is a honest boy and will always want to play.”

Tottenham coach Martin Jol insists he is not under pressure after his side went down 2-1 to Sheffield United at Bramall Lane.

Jermaine Jenas put Spurs ahead but Rob Hulse and a penalty from Phil Jagielka left them still looking for their first league win this year.

Jol said: “We are very concerned. We have to get it right. It’s not hopeless but we are not as strong a team as we were last season.”

Steve Sidwell’s brace earned European hopefuls Reading a 2-0 win over Aston Villa at the Madejski Stadium.

Portsmouth substitute Kanu put his team back on the winning track with a late winner against Manchester City after Pedro Mendes had opened the scoring early on before suffering a bad injury courtesy of Joey Barton.

Bernardo Corradi grabbed a 62nd-minute City equaliser before Kanu’s heroics nine minutes from time.