Benitez in Fergie title snub

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez has refused to end his on-going row with rival Sir Alex Ferguson despite Manchester United ending the clubs' on-pitch battle by retaining the Premier League title this weekend.

The Red Devils secured their third successive championship on Saturday to move level with the Anfield outfit's all-time English record of 18 titles and, although Benitez offered reluctant congratulations to the team as a whole, he pointedly refused to acknowledge Ferguson.

Benitez said: "I will say congratulations to Manchester United. They have done well, but I do not want to say too much. I prefer just to say well done to the club, a big club, a good club."

Benitez and Ferguson have rarely seen eye-to-eye this season, with the Liverpool boss launching an astonishing pre-meditated attack earlier in the season when he presented an A4 sheet of "facts" criticising United and their manager.

Ferguson responded by accusing Benitez of "arrogance" and "contempt" in his dealings with fellow managers and the duo have been sniping at each other all season.

Benitez added: "Normally you have to be polite and respect the other manager. During the season we have seen a lot of things that I didn't like, so that's it.

"I say congratulations to United because they have won. And that's it."

Liverpool assured themselves of second place with a 2-0 win over West Bromwich Albion on Sunday and Benitez feels he has laid down a marker by pushing United this season.

But the Reds boss could not resist a further dig at Ferguson when asked to define what have been the deciding factors in the title race.

"They have had better quality on the bench. When they played us they had [Paul] Scholes, [Ryan] Giggs and [Dimitar] Berbatov on the bench. I am really pleased that we have got 83 points with the squad we have.

"When you are prepared to pay £20m or £30m for players it is easier to win the title," he added.

Giggs drops retirement hint

Manchester United veteran Ryan Giggs would consider retiring at the end of this season should he lose his enjoyment for the game.

Giggs, 35, is the club's all-time leading appearance maker after
surpassing Sir Bobby Charlton's record of 758 last season.

He remains a key part of Sir Alex Ferguson's first-team squad after making 22 appearances in all competitions during the current campaign.

But the former Wales international would consider hanging up his boots when his one-year rolling contract expires at the end of the current campaign,

"I will keep playing as long as I enjoy it, I am fit and the manager wants me," he told The Sun.

"If one of those three things stops, I will consider retiring.

"It could be at the end of this season or it could be the next one.

"I am at the end of my contract in May, so we will see. At the minute, there hasn't been any contact with United.

"I am as fit as I have ever been. The only difference is recovering from games.

"Two days after a game, I am still tired. Before, I could play Saturday-Wednesday, Saturday-Wednesday no problem.

"Today, I would be a lot less efficient at doing things. Nowadays, I only play once a week, it's very good that way."

Drogba back on target

Chelsea went back to the top of the Premier League with a comfortable 2-0 win over rock-bottom West Brom at Stamford Bridge.

First-half goals from Didier Drogba and Frank Lampard gave Chelsea their first home league win in four games.

The Blues took just three minutes to go in front with Drogba, making his first league appearance since the end of September, heading home a cross from Joe Cole.

It was the Ivorian's second goal of the season and his first in the Barclays Premier League this term.

In the ninth minute Lampard tried his luck with a 35-yard free-kick which Albion keeper Scott Carson did well to hold at the first attempt.

Drogba's goal allowed Chelsea the luxury of playing without the nervousness that had accompanied their last three league games at the Bridge.

A defeat by Arsenal and draws with Newcastle and West Ham had stunted their title charge in recent weeks.

Lampard should have done better in the 19th minute when Ashley Cole found him unmarked inside the Albion penalty area.

But the England midfielder, captain in the absence of the suspended John Terry, sent his shot wide of the target.

Moments later Chelsea carved out a fine move down the right flank but a cross from Jose Bosingwa eluded everyone in the six-yard box.

In the 32nd minute, Carson had to be alert to keep out a low drive from Michael Ballack as Chelsea increased the tempo.

Ten minutes before the break, Joe Cole fed namesake Ashley on the left but the defender saw his shot tipped onto the post by Carson.

The ball rebounded back to Ashley Cole but Carson also saved his second effort, even though it was going wide.

Chelsea's biggest threat was coming from the rampaging runs of Bosingwa on the right.

The full-back was virtually ever-present in attack such was Albion's lack of a cutting edge.

Chelsea made it two in first-half injury time when Joe and Ashley Cole linked up to provide Lampard with the chance to beat Carson from close range.

Chelsea replaced Bosingwa with Juliano Belletti at half-time and he was quickly into the action, but a neat combination of passes with Drogba ended with an attempted chip over Carson going far too high.

Anelka and Drogba were starting a game together for the first time this season but Scolari had kept faith with his 4-3-3 formation.

That meant Anelka found himself out on the left flank for large periods of the game - a position he disliked under former coach Avram Grant last season.

But it was clear Drogba offered Chelsea more power in the central role and in the 53rd minute his trickery and muscle opened up the Albion defence sufficiently for him to test Carson with a powerful shot.

Lampard should have scored his second of the game in the 58th minute but he was far too cavalier with his effort.

Anelka, for once in a central position, supplied the England midfielder with a perfect pass but Lampard's attempted chip was easily dealt with by Carson.

Three minutes later Ballack found Drogba in space on the right side of the penalty area but the Ivorian sent his shot swerving into the crowd as he looked for a second goal of the afternoon.

Moments later Drogba squandered another chance after a fabulous run from Anelka presented him with a clear-cut opportunity.

The Chelsea striker was foiled by Carson who punched away Drogba's effort. It was the Ivorian's last contribution as seconds later he was replaced by Florent Malouda.

Eight minutes from time Anelka tried his luck from 20 yards but sent his shot straight at Carson.

Malouda snatched wildly at a chance four minutes from the end of normal time but the France international hit the side netting.