| Sir Alex Ferguson insists Manchester United will not lose their nerve as they cling onto the lead in the race for the Premiership title. United's advantage over second-placed champions Chelsea was cut to two points on Sunday when they crashed to a shock 1-0 defeat at West Ham, while Jose Mourinho's team won 3-2 against Everton.
Just a week ago United were eight points clear at the top, but the gap is shrinking fast after a late fightback from Chelsea at Goodison Park.
The defeat in east London was just their second Premiership loss this season and it ended United's 12-match unbeaten league run.
However Ferguson is adamant his young side, who were beaten by a second-half strike from Nigel Reo-Coker at Upton Park, have the mental strength to cope with the pressure of slugging it out with the reigning champions.
"We played with confidence and our passing movements were good. We created some fantastic chances in the match. The result was nothing to do with nerve," Ferguson said.
"These things happen in football. We just have to gather ourselves and start another charge.
"We are still two points clear. It's not been a great day in the sense that Chelsea have come from behind, which is a bit of luck for them.
"It was an important result for Chelsea but I'm not sure they are on a charge.
"It was a result they have clawed out of nothing, but we have got to show our resolve as well. That is the hallmark of champions. We have proved that many times in the past.
"The Championship race is not going to be decided in December."
United were unusually subdued for long periods and, even after Reo-Coker's close-range finish in the 75th minute, they rarely threatened to rescue a point.
Only Cristiano Ronaldo seriously tested Robert Green with a fine strike that the West Ham keeper turned away in the second half.
Ferguson bemoaned his side's wayward finishing and added: "We played some fantastic football but our finishing could have been better. We had some excellent opportunities, but our decision-making was off at times.
"I've been speaking about it to the players for a few days. We've been throwing away a lot of chances away from home. Today was another example of that."
West Ham boss Alan Curbishley was able to savour the double delight of a win in his first match since succeeding Alan Pardew last week, as well as his first triumph against United as a manager.
Curbishley is normally a low-key character but even he was moved to punch the air when Reo-Coker turned in Marlon Harewood's low cross.
Reo-Coker was reported to have played a role in Pardew's dismissal after falling out with the former Hammers boss.
But the midfielder dedicated the win to Pardew and Curbishley insisted he had no concerns about his captain.
Curbishley said: "I've not really spoken to him. I know there has been a lot of criticism levelled at the players and perhaps he has taken the brunt of it.
"It's easy to pick on someone when it's not going so well. If he wanted to answer his critics he has done that but I want him to do it again at Fulham next week."
West Ham had lost five of their last six matches but, although they remain third bottom, this result will give renewed hope of a successful fight against relegation.
"It's a great result, especially considering the results on Saturday," said former Charlton boss Curbishley. "The teams above us won away, so it could have been United or anyone that we beat. It was just important to stay in there.
"The trouble with West Ham is that they haven't been down there before. It is a young side that was on the crest of a wave last year.
"They probably haven't gone four or five games without winning and perhaps they didn't know how to deal with it.
"I've been there before so I hope my experience will help them cope." | 
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