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Sergio Aguero scored two and created another for Manchester City in their win against West Brom
Roberto Mancini delivered an unusual post-match interview on Wednesday, refusing to accept that Manchester City are back in the Premier League title race despite United's loss at Wigan.
Defeat for the Red Devils at the DW Stadium means City are back within five points after their own 4-0 drubbing of West Brom. With the Manchester derby still to come, City now only need United to drop points in one other fixture between now and the end of the season to leave it in their own hands.
However, asked if City are back in the title race, Mancini replied on Sky Sports: "No. It is important mathematically. But United are a fantastic team and I don't think they can lose five points.
"For us it is important that we finish this good season for us well. This is the best season since 1968 and this is important. I fight always, every day, and also my team but now I think it is too late.
"I think they have fantastic spirit, United. We don't have the same spirit and for this reason I think this is very difficult. We have 74 points so we are in the Champions League."
City are not yet officially in the Champions League, with fifth-placed Newcastle 15 points behind with 15 to play for. However, City have a superior goal difference of 45 compared to the Magpies, so Mancini's point is somewhat valid.
Pressed on whether he was playing mind games with his refusal to claim City are back in the title hunt, Mancini replied: "I don't believe this."
Goals from Sergio Aguero(2), Carlos Tevez and David Silva earned City the points against West Brom, and Mancini now hopes their blip is over. "For three of four games we didn't play well, we conceded too many goals, but I hope we've come back tonight after those games," the Italian stated.
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I take it all back!!!
It seems the Mancs derby could well be the decider for the title instead of being a dead rubber!
After all that hard work Arsenal did to help out Utd this is the thanks we get a p1ss poor showing at Wigan!
Mind you with the mediocre performances by Utd of late they should have dropped far more points had the refs not helped them out a bit!
I agree with Joker to a certain extent I can see Utd dropping more points presuming the refs do their jobs properly!!!.
It'd be hilarious if City did actually win the title, I'll be laughing my asre off especially at the cocky arrogant Utd supporters that thought it was a mere formality and foregone conclusion.
Zulu, you won't be able to show your face on here (literally speaking!) ![]()
You are right Poker. It doesn't matter what he says. Mancini has has such a hard time with the press twisting and throwing his words back at him. Given his English is so ifffy, he is now nervous about saying anything that will put extra pressure on the team.
I also think Utd will still win it, but would love to see it go down to who wins at the Etihad.
City still have Norwich and Newcastle to play away, neither easy games. United's run in has softer opposition. That said, until last night, they may have included Wigan as a "banker". Mancini's right to turn down the expectation in the press, though; any comment about them being able to win the title at this stage would look like boastful stupidity.
On the other hand I'd be betting that he's saying the opposite to his squad, because if they can play like they did last night until the end of the season they're more than capable of winning their final games, and if United play like they did against Wigan [and other recent games] they are quite capable of dropping points. If City win their last matches United only need to draw one, and lose to City and then it could be down to goal difference....Exciting times!
utter rubbish joe reeves... if you think the 'goal' was disallowed correctly then I suggest you start watching netball instead.
United were universally reviled prior to the baconface years and they success they've brought them, purely and simply because of the divine right, arrogance of its supporters and also the way the club presents itself. The fact that you think different merely marks you down as the sort of clown who thinks football was actually invented in 1993.
ok i have to say it is getting a bit tedious having to read and listen about man united's luck. but people forget about the times united have not been given decisions like last nights game which yeah wigan were the better team but the disallowed goal was a clear obstruction on the keeper. the goal wigan scored was a fantastic strike but it came from a corner that should not have been. and lets not forget the handball committed by the wigan player. i just think united are the object of much hatred and jealousy and get picked on because of their success over the years













