Fergie was at it again Sunday, exhibiting his tunnel vision.

The wily, intelligent and often complaining Manchester United boss ripped into referee Martin Atkinson for his display in Sunday’s tense (another way of saying it wasn’t that exciting) 1-0 Premier League loss at Chelsea, a defeat that extended United’s woes against Big Four rivals on the road.

Ferguson felt Atkinson blundered when he awarded a free kick that led to the goal and because no one called behemoth Didier Drogba for a foul in the box as John Terry deposited a header in the corner late in the second half.

“You lose faith in refereeing,” Ferguson whined.

Let’s take a closer look at some of the incidents in question. The media’s flavour of the month, United midfielder Darren Fletcher – who twice relinquished possession in dangerous spots in the first half – gets the ball but takes out Ashley Cole in the process. United players go crazy, venting at Atkinson.

So much for the `respect’ campaign.

Ah, but they weren’t going crazy when Chelsea’s Branislav Ivanovic, who excelled at right back, received a yellow card for doing the same thing on evergreen winger Ryan Giggs.

Drogba did tug at makeshift central defender Wes Brown on the goal, although if that kind of infraction is called every time a Premier League game is played, we’d be looking at way too many needless stoppages.

Did Terry take down Luis Valencia in the box in the first half? It sure looked clumsy, with the defender’s reputation and Chelsea playing at home saving him.

Mind you, how many away sides get penalties at Old Trafford? They’re as rare as Thierry Henry headers.

Ferguson, of course, ignored Jonny Evans’ kung-fu style kick to the upper body of Drogba, whose reputation meant Evans was spared a yellow card.

Ferguson didn’t pick on Atkinson when he played about seven minutes of injury time in September’s Manchester derby at Old Trafford, allowing Michael Owen to net a famous winner.

You see, it does all even itself out.

For all the territorial advantage enjoyed by United, losing Dimitar Berbatov was a big blow. Using a 4-5-1 formation, with new papa Wayne Rooney up front and working his socks off, the Red Devils were always going to struggle to find a goal in the post Ronaldo era. Rooney tested Petr Cech with a long-range effort the Czech misplayed, and later sent another longish-range shot wide. That was pretty much it, although Giggs misfired on a difficult chance in the first half.

So, United falls five points behind Chelsea and slips to third, now trailing Arsenal on goal difference. Valencia and Nani haven’t picked up the slack in Ronaldo’s absence, and don’t be surprised if United drops more points before Christmas.

Fergie can’t blame the refs for everything.