Mancini maintains title hopes are over

Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini
insisted Manchester United will still win
the Premier League despite closing the
gap at the top.
City beat West Bromwich Albion 4-0 at
the Etihad Stadium as Wigan shocked
United 1-0 on Wednesday to reignite the
title race.
Second-placed City trails United by five
points with five games remaining,
including a tantalising local derby
between the two sides, but Mancini
believes United’s superior team spirit will
prove decisive.
“I think the title is still over because United are
a fantastic team and I don’t think they can lose
five points,” Mancini said.
“I will fight every day and so will my team, but I
think it’s too late. I think United have fantastic
spirit, we don’t have the same spirit.
“For us it’s important to finish the season well.
It’s been a good season for us, our best since
1968 when Manchester City won the
championship.
“This is not mind games, United have fantastic
experience and we don’t have it.”
A Sergio Aguero double and strikes from Carlos
Tevez and David Silva sealed a convincing win
for City following draws against Stoke City and
Sunderland and a loss to Arsenal.
West Bromwich manager Roy Hodgson said the
score was “a major blow to my pride” and
suggested City could still feature in title
calculations.
“We lost to a better team,” Hodgson told Sky
Sports.
“The bottom line was we came here with dreams
and hopes of denting Manchester City but we
weren’t able to do so. They won deservedly and
convincingly.
“Five points in five games is a lot better odds
than eight points.
“(United manager) Sir Alex (Ferguson) will be
disappointed not to have got something from the
Wigan game but he wouldn’t have expected us to
beat Man City today.
“The title race is a little bit more interesting
than it was before but there’s still a long way to
go. They are both playing very well and difficult
teams to beat.”