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City back on summit as Lescott sinks Villa
Source: Agencies |
February 14, 2012, Tuesday
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JOLEON Lescott's 62nd-minute goal and a brilliant late save by goalkeeper Joe Hart sent Manchester City back to the top of the Premier League with a tense 1-0 win at Aston Villa on Sunday.
Manchester United's 2-1 win over Liverpool on Saturday had put City under pressure and after it had dominated the first hour's play Lescott eased the nerves when he hooked in former Villa midfielder Gareth Barry's far-post header from a corner. Adam Johnson also hit a post in the first half for City while Villa threatened little until the final stages when Carlos Cuellar headed over and Hart made a superb point-blank save from Darren Bent.
City tops the table with 60 points from 25 games, two ahead of United while toothless Villa is looking anxiously over its shoulders down in 15th.
"It's always difficult playing second throughout the weekend," man-of-the-match Barry said. "(United) obviously put a bit of pressure on, any away game in the Premier League is really tough. But to come to Villa Park is a massive three points for us, we are delighted today.
"We've got to back ourselves now although they are a club who have won many championships recently. We are a team full of experience and have players that have won championships elsewhere. We know what it is all about."
Mancini, whose side went into a league game not as leader for the first time since October, was thrilled. "This evening was a difficult game, we knew this before the game but I think the guys played fantastic football," he said.
Carlos Tevez could be making a surprise return to City and Mancini softened his opposition to a player who refused to warm up as a substitute in a game in September.
"My reaction is always the same, Carlos knows the situation. It's possible yes. Carlos is a Manchester City player," Mancini said.
Meanwhile, Wolverhampton Wanderers has fired manager Mick McCarthy with the club struggling to stay in the Premier League. McCarthy's last match in charge was Sunday's 1-5 home loss to local rival West Bromwich Albion, a result that plunged the team into the relegation zone.
Manchester United's 2-1 win over Liverpool on Saturday had put City under pressure and after it had dominated the first hour's play Lescott eased the nerves when he hooked in former Villa midfielder Gareth Barry's far-post header from a corner. Adam Johnson also hit a post in the first half for City while Villa threatened little until the final stages when Carlos Cuellar headed over and Hart made a superb point-blank save from Darren Bent.
City tops the table with 60 points from 25 games, two ahead of United while toothless Villa is looking anxiously over its shoulders down in 15th.
"It's always difficult playing second throughout the weekend," man-of-the-match Barry said. "(United) obviously put a bit of pressure on, any away game in the Premier League is really tough. But to come to Villa Park is a massive three points for us, we are delighted today.
"We've got to back ourselves now although they are a club who have won many championships recently. We are a team full of experience and have players that have won championships elsewhere. We know what it is all about."
Mancini, whose side went into a league game not as leader for the first time since October, was thrilled. "This evening was a difficult game, we knew this before the game but I think the guys played fantastic football," he said.
Carlos Tevez could be making a surprise return to City and Mancini softened his opposition to a player who refused to warm up as a substitute in a game in September.
"My reaction is always the same, Carlos knows the situation. It's possible yes. Carlos is a Manchester City player," Mancini said.
Meanwhile, Wolverhampton Wanderers has fired manager Mick McCarthy with the club struggling to stay in the Premier League. McCarthy's last match in charge was Sunday's 1-5 home loss to local rival West Bromwich Albion, a result that plunged the team into the relegation zone.
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