London, Feb. 19 : Manchester United coach Alex Ferguson has criticized Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich for axing Brazilian coach Phil Scolari.

"They have played into our hands and the title race now is going to be between ourselves and Liverpool. I was shocked that Chelsea should part so soon with a manager of such great experience and proven success as Scolari," The Sun quoted Ferguson, as saying.

"Their haste is a reflection of the sad way the game is going, with everyone from owners, the board members, the supporters and the media demanding instant success and showing no patience in the pursuit of their ambition. I'd have thought it self-evident that winning prizes comes with stability and long-term planning," he added.

London, Feb. 17 : A Russian business magazine - Finans - has claimed that Chelsea's billionaire owner Roman Abramovich''s total wealth has fallen from 23 billion dollars to 13.9 billion dollars.

Though he still remains second on the list of Russia''s most wealthy individuals, the combined fortunes of Abramovich and 48 other rich Russians has slid by 69 per cent to
151 billion dollars, mirroring the 67 per cent decline in the Moscow Interbank Currency Exchange or Micex Index.

London  - Roman Abramovich is