Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson admitted that midfielder Paul Scholes was lucky to avoid a sending-off this afternoon against Chelsea, and insisted that the England international understood why he had to be taken off.
Scholes had already been booked for a dive in the penalty area when he fouled Frank Lampard from behind. and was fortunate that referee Steve Bennett did not show him a second yellow card. With an FA Cup final coming up, Ferguson was not prepared to risk losing him to suspension and brought Louis Saha on midway through the first half.
"It would have been unfair for Paul to miss a cup final for a sending-off where one of the bookings was for diving," said Ferguson. "In the end, Steve Bennett might have dismissed him but he is one of those referees who either gets it completely right or totally wrong.
"He has booked eight players today, yet left Huth on the pitch when he brought Louis Saha down for the penalty when he had already been booked."
Scholes looked disappointed to be replaced so early on, but Ferguson said that he knew he couldn't risk a red card: "Let's be honest, he's one of the best players in the game, capable of scoring goals and a marvellous passer. He understands."
United needed a Carlo Cudicini mistake to let them back into the game today after Jesper Gronkjaer had given Chelsea the lead in the first half. The Italian keeper had earlier saved a Ruud van Nistelrooy penalty, but gifted the Dutchman the equaliser with 13 minutes to go.
Ferguson admitted that his team knew that they were unlikely to get second place, even if they had won today: "I think we had that on our mind. After Liverpool and Blackburn it was always going to be very tough. Chelsea needed a point and they got it.
"It was a good quality game. I thought after the goal we played some excellent stuff and we were unlucky not to capitalise on that. We had a penalty saved unluckily but credit to the keeper. Chelsea played very well but we kept our composure and got the break with Cudicini dropping the ball. I am happy with the players, we worked hard. We needed the break and got it when Cudicini dropped the ball."
Claudio Ranieri, meanwhile, was dropping hints about his future. He suggested afterwards that the situation is not as clear-cut as it may seem: "Don't be so sure I will be leaving," he said.
"People might think I am dead but I am still strong and I am still fighting. I am not stupid. When people write all season that I will be going, I have to think 'Claudio - you are dead'.
"But when you look back, we have had a good season. Finishing second in the league is not easy. I am an ambitious man and would have hoped for better but the platform for this club is laid now and I am positive about the future."
Ranieri was delighted to have secured second place: "It is a great achievement to be ahead of Manchester. We tried to do our best and it was important to get second place and play well here. My players are very strong characters."
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