Mancini incites mind games as City re-emerge in title race
Published:Man United have moved out from 1/50 to 1/7 to claim a 20th league crown after an intriguing evening in the Premier League breathed new life into the title race.
Sir Alex Ferguson’s men slipped to a disastrous defeat at lowly Wigan, whilst the blue half of Manchester was celebrating a return to form as they continued their unbeaten home record against a weakened West Brom side.
The destination of the trophy seemed all but tied up as City had failed to win in three going into the match against the Baggies, allowing United to capitalise and go eight points clear at the summit.
However, a master class from Sergio Aguero, paired with a shock defeat for United, has cut that gap to five, and with the two sides to square up at the Etihad at the end of the month it only requires a slip up from the Red Devils for Aguero and Co to pounce.
Despite this, City manager, Roberto Mancini, was adamant the title race was over at the end of the game on Wednesday, claiming the gap to be unassailable and pointing to United’s team spirit as a major advantage.
It is highly unlikely that this was an admission of defeat from the Italian but more a re-emergence of the infamous mind games that surround any battle at the top of the Premier League.
It is easy to see why United still remain clear favourites, as well as possessing a five-point gap, the champions have a stellar record in the final weeks of the season, losing only three of their last five fixtures in the previous five years.
The return of Carlos Tevez could be the catalyst for a strong end to the season for the Citizens, after the Argentine scored his first of this term against West Brom
City are now priced at 4/1 to claim a maiden Premier League success, and to do so will need a victory at home to their rivals on April 30th. They are currently 11/8 to do so, whilst the Old Trafford club are at 9/5.
