Rafa's Reds back in the race

Furious Phil Scolari took a pop at ref Mike Riley and the critics who reckon Chelsea are now out of the title race. “We will fight to the end,” vows the Chelsea boss.

Two goals from Fernando Torres re-established Liverpool as title contenders, but the major talking point was the ludicrous sending off of Frank Lampard.

Scolari felt Lampard’s harsh dismissal was a turning point, and he urged Riley: “I want the ref to watch a TV replay of the incident and possibly change the card for Lampard. I would also like the FA to look at it as well.

“In fact, when I looked at the replay on television it looked as though it was the Liverpool player who was committing the foul and not Lampard.

“We could be losing Lampard now for three games because of a mistake, so I think it is important it is looked at again. After the dismissal I think the result was expected because they had more players and more quality. Before that it was equal.

“The sending off changed the game one million per cent. I didn’t talk to the referee. It is his decision and now if he maybe wants to change things, he changes it.”

Lampard himself added: “I had no intention of injuring the player. I obviously touched the ball and there is no way it was a red card.”

Yet even Scolari admitted: “He did not do the right thing. I agree that he made a mistake and maybe he should have punishment from the FA.

Chelsea are five points behind champions Manchester United, having played a game more. Yet Scolari insisted he is not feeling the heat.

He added: “Pressure, on me? I work every day and I am a man for football. It is not a problem. But our chances are smaller now as there is a bigger distance between us. We have to fight to the end but it is not in our hands.”


Benitez

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Rafa Benitez didn’t share Scolari’s view over the sending off, and reckoned Liverpool were in command long before Lampard was dismissed after an hour.

Benitez insisted: “I am really pleased because we deserved to win. When we were 11 against 11 we were the better team, and when it went to 11 against ten we had more control and more opportunities.”

Benitez added: “To me, it’s always been a long race. We were in a very good position before and are in a very good position again now. There’s still a long way to go.

“It was important for the team and for Fernando to score those goals. For the rest of the season we can see him coming back, and he will be very important for us.”

Of the decision to leave out Robbie Keane, the Liverpool boss added: “It was only a decision based on this match and our requirements. I have spoken to Robbie, he was there in the dressing room beforehand, and we also spoke afterwards and we were just talking about the game.

“He was pleased because the team had won. He is part of my squad, I would expect him to be in my Champions League squad.”