Source: Daily_Mail
Sir Alex Ferguson: Now we feel like champions ... but let's beat Arsenal and Chelsea too
Sir Alex Ferguson says Manchester United feel like champions after their dramatic 1-0 victory over Everton. [LNB]A winner in the 83rd minute by ?7million Mexico striker Javier 'Chicharito' Hernandez eased the tension at Old Trafford and Ferguson declared: 'There are only four games left and, yes, we feel like champions.[LNB] 'The players have a winning mentality. The way they are going about their business and the effort they are producing gives us an outstandingchance.' [LNB] Buy of the season: Javier Hernandez scores for Manchester United[LNB]Chicharito's header ended Everton's backs-to-the-wall resistance and put United on 73 points, seven short of clinching a record 19th title. And if United beat their only rivals, Arsenal and Chelsea, in their next two games on May 1 and 8, they will be crowned champions with two games still to play. [LNB]Ferguson said: 'It puzzles me that people keep saying we have yet to play Chelsea and Arsenal, as if we're going to lose those games! Why can't we win them?[LNB] 'I've told the players to keep their heads down, not get carried away with the situation and keep winning. We showed great perseverance and determination and we played some good football at times and, in the time-honoured fashion of Manchester United, we left it late when we should have had it won much earlier.' [LNB]19 for the season: Manchester United's Javier Hernandez celebrates his winner against Everton[LNB]United looked to be heading for a second successive 0-0 draw - and added title pressure - until buy-of-the-season Chicharito appeared at the far post to head Antonio Valencia's cross past the admirable Tim Howard. [LNB]It was the Mexican's 19th United goal and his 12th in the league. [LNB]Hernandez, signed from Guadalajara last summer, said: 'I'm just loving it here and to win the Premier League in my first season would be fantastic.' [LNB]Ferguson admitted that the 22-year-old had exceeded his expectations. 'We thought he would need this first 12 months to settle in to English football and we didn't expect Chicharito to do so well so soon,' he said.[LNB] 'He is getting his reward for all his hard work. He is first in for training at nine o'clock and last to leave.' [LNB]Sir Alex acknowledged that United needed a brilliant save from Edwin van der Sar when the veteran Dutch goalkeeper pushed Jack Rodwell's deflected shot around the post in the second half.[LNB] Van der Sar retires this summer and Ferguson added: 'It's a bit like the situation I had with Peter Schmeichel. I just hope he's not impossible to replace. To hear him motivating the players at half-time was wonderful.' [LNB]Everton fans left Old Trafford complaining that referee Peter Walton might have awarded their team two penalties, in the first half, when Jonny Evans and Jermaine Beckford tangled, and after the break, when Rio Ferdinand bundled substitute Victor Anichebe off the ball. [LNB] Thumbs up: Sir Alex Ferguson is confident his Manchester United side will win the title[LNB]But Everton manager David Moyes said: 'I didn't think they were penalties. We were under a lot of pressure and we produced some great defending. But one late lapse cost us. We were up against a team who look like they're going to be champions.' [LNB]Ferguson rested several key players ahead of Tuesday's Champions League semi-final first leg at Schalke, in Germany, and said he had no new injury worries. [LNB]Bookmakers Betfred said after the win over Everton that they will pay out immediately on United winning the title. [LNB]Betfred boss Fred Done said: 'It's costing me ?300,000 but I'm delighted because my beloved United are over the finishing line.'[LNB] Man Utd 1 Everton 0: Javier it! Hernandez's late strike puts Red Devils close to 19th titleKeep your heads and you've won the title, Ferguson tells UnitedAll the latest Everton news, features and opinionAll the latest Manchester United news, features and opinion[LNB] [LNB] Explore more:People: Alex Ferguson, David Moyes, Rio Ferdinand, Victor Anichebe, Antonio Valencia, Edwin Van Der Sar Places: Germany
