CONSOLATION PRIZE

Last updated : 22 January 2006 By Ed

"It is looking like we are going for second spot now but it will be close because Liverpool are in a good streak of form," said Ferguson.

"Their defensive record may not be as good as Chelsea's but they are quite sound at the back and the other thing that has helped Rafael Benitez this season is a clean bill of health.

"Last year he had quite a few injuries and, without question, it does have an impact."