MANCHESTER United boss Sir Alex Ferguson believes Everton are more likely than Chelsea to win this year's Premiership.
Ferguson insists the Blues are still the best side United have met this season.
And while Caludio Ranieri's multi million pound side are tipped as dark horses for the title, the United boss thinks David Moyes' (right) revival makes Everton a better bet for silverware.
"The best performance by a team against us this season without any doubt was from Everton," said Ferguson.
"We won 3-0, but it was an unbalanced scoreline because it was tight until the end. You look at the teams who have a chance of winning the league and I would put Everton above Chelsea because maybe they have more about them.
"Maybe not in terms of natural ability but in the energy, structure of their team and enthusiasm."
Ferguson acknowledges Liverpool and Arsenal are still the most potent title challengers, but he has warned Gerard Houllier his unbeaten team is bound to slip up eventually.
He said: "It will be silly to think Liverpool will not have a blip and if they do we will be on their coat tails. We have had ours, with two defeats, and we have to recover from that.
"We do not have as strong a pool as Arsenal or Liverpool, particularly on the physical side.
"Both have built big, athletic squads. I'm not talking about ability, but sheer physical power and speed. Liverpool's main intent is to have a powerful squad, particularly when you look at their midfield."
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