ROBERTO MANCINI FEELS the Premier League title is now Manchester City’s to lose after their 1-0 win over Manchester United.
Vincent Kompany’s first-half header at Etihad Stadium last night earned City a vital victory, and sent them top of the table courtesy of their superior goal difference. With two rounds of the season left to play, City are now in control of their destiny, needing only to match United’s results to seal their first title of the Premier League era.
“It was an important result… because I think now the chance is in our hands,” City manager Mancini said. ”I’m not just happy for myself, I’m happy for our supporters.
“Now we can talk about everything, but we need to play our last two games. They wanted to take a draw instead. I think this is the difference — we wanted to win, we took our chance and we played better.
“We deserved to win. We had the better chances. It was difficult because they played with men behind the ball. It was not always easy to find a way past that.”
With United set to play mid-table opposition in Swansea and Sunderland, and City up against Champions League-chasing Newcastle and relegation-threatened QPR, Mancini said Ferguson’s side have an easier run in.
“United… they have an easier run-in,” he said. ”They play against Swansea and Sunderland — these two teams are strong – but in this moment, for United, it will be easier.
“Instead, we face two tough games – Newcastle and QPR, with one playing for Champions League and one playing to avoid relegation. The result doesn’t change anything. We are out in front, but we need to win the next two games.”
Ferguson conceded City are now in the driving seat to win the title, and feels their superior goal difference (plus eight goals) would likely be decisive.
“They are in the driving seat now,” Ferguson said. ”They only need to win two games of football. It’s not over yet, of course, as long as there’s games still to play, it’s not over.
“We’ve both got the same points, but they have an eight-goal advantage and that’s a great advantage to have at this time in the season.”
Its not every week you would have a South African cutting all ties in playing with his country to play for Ireland. I would say best of luck to him. He might teach the Ulster players the national anthem is well.
Delighted to have you Mr Strauss. The more of you the better. Who needs home-grown players anyway? Big Jack certainly showed us how!
agree. what has nationailty got to do with anything anyway. surely, the days of ‘nationailsm’ are over (except for enterprises like The Shakedown). ireland is made up of people from all over the place now. if you live here, why not be allowed to play for the irish team?
@Ian
Over the years, many Ulster players were threatened by Loyalists about singing the National Anthem so many still don’t
What do ya mean? Sure wasn’t Tommy Bowe belting it out!
To expect Northern players to sing the national anthem of the Republic of Ireland is as ludicrous as expecting the Southern players to sing God Save the Queen
They are playing for IRELAND. They should sing the IRISH anthem. It’s about time we did away with that clap trap Ireland’s Call….such an embarrassment. Likening it to the southern lads singing god save the queen is a ludicrous argument. It’s the IRISH rugby team!
@PatD
Yes, its the IRISH rugby team, not the Rep of Ireland rugby team. If Richardt wanted to show his commitment to the country he has made his home then I have no problem with it (and fair play to him for it). Just as I have no problem with any of the lads taking pride in signing their national anthem on home soil. But its not the anthem of the team nor should it be. The team is made up of Irish men from every county including those in NI, it transcends political borders and all the shíte that goes with bickering over those borders and long may it stay that way.
New Zealand have been doing exactly the same thing with Fuji and Samoa for years!
Congratulations to Richard. We’re delighted to have you.
If i was Rory best id be an extremely worried hooker
Tommy Bowe is an Ulsterman true, but also a Monaghan man.
Actually a Kildare man. Born and bred in Rathangan. Go and ask him…
The family did move to Monaghan afterwards I might add. Not to offend the Monaghan clan.
Strauss has a way to go yet to match Besty. Rory Best has one of the highest tackle counts in Irish rugby, hits his man and is a very good scrummager. The only hooker in Ireland needing to be worried is Cronin, who could see his bench place taken by Richardt.
The most important thing is he wants to play for Ireland after that if he’s the best ( no pun intended ) hooker then he plays. I’m happy he’s with us.
Chris, some sort of record – 48 thumbs up and no thumbs down!!!
Straussy is a legend!! Loved him singing the anthem
absolutely
hypocrisy,if o Driscoll or paul o Connell cut all ties with Ireland and joined England and sang god save the queen you’d all be out with your pitchfork and flaming torches baying for blood
As far as i know a former ulster player , Irish born and bred, recently declared for the scotch
your irish now boy keep up the good work
delighted to see Richardt declaring for Ireland, best of luck in your international carreer