Carlo Ancelotti looked at the positives from Chelsea's 0-0 draw at Birmingham. While the Premier League leaders enjoyed the better chances in the Boxing Day encounter at St Andrew's, it was Birmingham who had the ball in the net in the first half, Christian Benitez poking it over the line and apparently being played onside by an injured Didier Drogba only to see the flag raised against him.
Failure to take three points from the West Midlands left Ancelotti's side with a recent record of only one win in five league games, while United can reduce the gap to two points by beating Hull on Sunday.
"It is not a good result for us but, as for what we did on the pitch, I think we played well," said the Italian coach.
"We had a lot of chances, showed very good heart and the goalkeeper for Birmingham (Joe Hart) made very good saves.
"We are disappointed with the result but not for the performance of the team. We improved after the last time against West Ham (a 1-1 draw).
"We played well, Birmingham tried to play the counter-attack. It was a difficult game for us but I think that Chelsea did the best in this moment."
As for Benitez's disallowed effort, Ancelotti was non-committal.
"I don't know if it was right because I was a long distance from it and didn't see it well," he said. "I think the assistant referee was in a better position."
Regarding the red card, Ancelotti added: "Malouda did a foul at the end which was not a silly foul, it was just a foul and the referee decided it was a yellow card, but for me it was not a foul deserving a further yellow card.
"But I think the referee did a good job."
Opposite number Alex McLeish was similarly upbeat and insisted he took no extra satisfaction in helping his old Aberdeen boss, United chief Sir Alex Ferguson.
"I'm in it for Birmingham City," he said. "I'm sure not only Sir Alex but the other clubs around Chelsea will be saying it gives them a chance as well."
Birmingham had the ball in the net in the 31st minute only for it to be ruled out somewhat harshly. McLeish was disappointed Benitez's effort was disallowed but admits such incidents generally even themselves out.
"I've seen the pictures and Chucho (Benitez) is onside because Drogba is lying there on the ground," he said.
"I don't know if that counts as 'not interfering' in terms of the offside law but the referee played on and he's definitely in line or just inside Drogba's legs when he's lying there.
"But we got a break last week against Everton with the Louis Saha goal being disallowed and it went against us today.
"We're disappointed about that but I'm disappointed for Chucho because he gave Chelsea's defenders a good game."
McLeish added: "Chelsea had their moments as well, let's be honest.
"Joe's had a couple of good saves, there were one or two situations you need a little bit of luck with and there was some fantastic defending from guys who really love defending."
