ALEX FERGUSON believes the next month will prove decisive in a Premiership title race that his Manchester United side look to have brought back to life.
United's 2-0 victory over Everton at Old Trafford on Wednesday night was crucial - but the surprise defeat of runaway leaders Newcastle by West Ham could yet prove to be the turning point of a title race that seemed destined to go the way of the Geordies.
Kevin Keegan's side are still in the driving seat, with a six point lead and a game in hand - an awesome advantage to take into the finishing straight.
But Ferguson is demanding that his team maintain the pressure on Newcastle by taking maximum points in the next four weeks - a period which will see United make the trip to St James' Park.
"They say it all happens in March and, of course, we've got to go to Newcastle and win," said Ferguson.
"But we've also got to make sure we don't slip up in our other games, starting with Bolton on Sunday.
"Hopefully Manchester City will do us a favour when they play Newcastle, but we've just got to keep winning to keep the pressure on.
Of the Everton game, Ferguson said: "It was an important win, so valuable that the result was more important than the performance," said Ferguson, who takes his men to Newcastle on March 4th.
"We looked some way off our best form, particularly in the second half, but credit must go to Everton because they made it very difficult for us.
"For me, the highlight of the game were the two goals (by Roy Keane and Ryan Giggs) marvellous pieces of football, both of them with incisive runs, good passes and good finishes.
For Newcastle, Faustino Asprilla's speedy and successful integration into the team will be a vital factor in the outcome of the title race. Asprilla demonstrated on his full debut at West Ham that he has several tricks up his sleeve.
Yet the £7.5 million striker might have helped Newcastle retain their nine point advantage over Manchester United if he had harnessed his talents more effectively for the team cause.
Asprilla's ball control and ability to throw opponents off balance drew gasps of admiration from the Upton Park crowd. Several times he left bewildered defenders grounded after swaying away from challenges and accelerating into dangerous positions.
But then he spoiled it all by taking on one defender too many or hitting an aimless cross. And Asprilla's Serie A style theatrical reaction to a Slaven Bilic tackle probably cost Newcastle a deserved penalty later when he gave an encore, with forward roll, after Steve Potts' dubious challenge.
Manager Kevin Keegan rightly points out that this was Asprilla's first full 90 minutes in three months. But he also acknowledges that the Colombian's partnership with Les Ferdinand must be established quickly if Newcastle are to resist Manchester United's persistent challenge over the final, nerve jangling dozen matches.
Newcastle will be desperate to prevent self doubt invading their title gallop this weekend by beating lowly Manchester City. For the moment, though, Newcastle are unconcerned. And Peter Beardsley brushed aside the effect of a first Premier defeat since December 27th.
"Nothing has changed," he insisted. "We are still top with a game in hand over Manchester United. But we need to start winning again against City. Asprilla looks a very talented player and I think his partnership with Les will be something special.
