Ferguson hits out at linesman

Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson could find himself in trouble with the FA today after appearing to question the integrity of linesman Darren Cann in yesterday’s 3-3 draw at Chelsea. United fought back from 3-0 down to emerge from Stamford Bridge with a point yesterday thanks to two second-half penalties from Wayne Rooney and a late header from substitute Javier Hernandez.Ferguson’s joy at the epic comeback was tempered somewhat by Cann’s failure to flag for a foul which he believes Gary Cahill committed on Danny Welbeck in the first half. Ferguson accepted the Chelsea debutant had not conceded a penalty as his challenge with Welbeck occurred outside the box, but still thought Cahill should have been dismissed as the England striker was denied a clear goalscoring opportunity.After the match Ferguson appeared to claim that Cann is all too happy to give penalties against his team, but not for them. “They should’ve had a man sent off in the first half. Danny Welbeck’s clear through and he was brought down,” Ferguson said.“Okay, it’s outside the box, (but there was) nothing, no decision. That linesman (Cann), (has) given a penalty kick against us from 40 yards away last year against Liverpool, this year against Arsenal – and he can’t see that?“I don’t blame (referee) Howard Webb – he needed help in that situation and he didn’t get it. That assistant referee, who’s all too happy to flag at Old Trafford for penalty kicks, didn’t give them.”United, who were under pressure following Manchester City’s win against Fulham last night, seemed destined for a damaging defeat when Chelsea raced in to a 3-0 lead during a devastating 15-minute period either side of half-time.Jonny Evans turned the ball in to his own net to give the Blues the lead, and Juan Mata’s thunderous volley then doubled their advantage before David Luiz sent a deflected header in off Rio Ferdinand’s shoulder for Chelsea’s third.Rooney’s double and Hernandez’s header levelled the scores, but it took two fine late saves from David De Gea, who denied Mata and Gary Cahill, to prevent the Red Devils falling to defeat.De Gea, 21, came under fire for his sub-par performance against Liverpool two weeks ago, and Ferguson was glad to see his £18m goalkeeper put on a strong display.“We know his potential, we know he’s an outstanding talent and we’ve got to trust that,” Ferguson said.“We bought him on the premise that he could be our goalkeeper for 10 years and he showed that today.“He dealt much better with all the aerial balls that came in. It’s experience. He’s not used to the English game, he’s had some bad moments this year in terms of dealing with that type of play.“But today, I think he’s got the bit between his teeth and he’s done well.”