Ferguson dared to declare that Chelsea would be overturned in the next round and Man City during the Winter Break because he had confidence in his own team. At the same time, it seemed more like a psychological battle.
Man City had a commanding lead and faced no direct threat, so they naturally did not pay much attention. Chelsea, however, was different.
Ancelotti's team had already suffered two consecutive defeats. With Wilkins suddenly dismissed as well, the crisis in the dressing room had become obvious. All of this allowed Ferguson's psychological tactics to take effect.
In the fifteenth round of the Premier League, Chelsea visited Newcastle. Just six minutes after kickoff, the Blues conceded.
England's homegrown striker Andy Carroll opened the scoring for the Magpies.
Although Chelsea equalized during stoppage time in the first half, they ultimately failed to overturn Newcastle. They could only accept a 1–1 draw away from home, making it three consecutive matches without a win.
Man United, by contrast, crushed Blackburn 7–1 at home.
Berbatov erupted spectacularly, scoring five goals in a game and helping Man United thrash Violence Ben at home.
It seemed like a response to Man City's 7–0 destruction of Fulham in the previous round.
Man United seemed to be sending a message: Isn't it just seven goals?
If we want to, we can score them whenever we please!
Whether Man United had intended it or not, Ferguson's team had indeed scored seven goals against their opponents after Man City's seven-goal rout. The only imperfection was that Man United had conceded one.
Ferguson was grinning from ear to ear after the match. He kept asking the media reporters, "I was right, wasn't I?"
His smug, hindsight-prophet appearance practically seemed to be telling the reporters, Hurry up and praise me!
But it had to