City cuts gap to 5 as United falls at Wigan
Source: Agencies |
April 13, 2012, Friday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
WHEN Alex Ferguson says Manchester United deserved to lose, his charges really have put on a poor display but whether Wednesday's 0-1 loss at lowly Wigan Athletic has really opened up the English Premier League title race remains to be seen.
Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini did not think so despite his side cutting the gap at the top to five points with a thumping 4-0 home victory over West Bromwich Albion.
Carlos Tevez scored on his first start for City since September but with five matches remaining, including a meeting between the top two on April 30, Mancini is either playing mind games or is genuinely downbeat on his side's chances of glory.
"I don't believe it," he told Sky TV when asked if the title race had been reopened. "Manchester United is a fantastic team, they have fantastic spirit and I think they can win this title."
United looked like it believed its 20th title was all wrapped up in a dreadful first-half display at Wigan and a surprisingly calm Ferguson pulled no punches after Shaun Maloney's strike had sent the hosts out of the drop zone.
"It was a disappointing night for us, we were really second to every ball in the first half," he said. "The first half we were completely dominated. Wigan were the better team and deserved to win."
Wigan enjoyed a bright start and Ferguson looked worried, berating Wayne Rooney from the touchline on one occasion as United looked as lackluster as it has all season.
Controversy struck when Victor Moses thought he had nodded Wigan ahead only for a linesman to harshly rule that Gary Caldwell had obstructed David de Gea. However, the hosts were not left to rue the decision after Maloney's superb curling effort early in the second half.
Wigan climbed up to 17th, one place and two points above the drop zone.
Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini did not think so despite his side cutting the gap at the top to five points with a thumping 4-0 home victory over West Bromwich Albion.
Carlos Tevez scored on his first start for City since September but with five matches remaining, including a meeting between the top two on April 30, Mancini is either playing mind games or is genuinely downbeat on his side's chances of glory.
"I don't believe it," he told Sky TV when asked if the title race had been reopened. "Manchester United is a fantastic team, they have fantastic spirit and I think they can win this title."
United looked like it believed its 20th title was all wrapped up in a dreadful first-half display at Wigan and a surprisingly calm Ferguson pulled no punches after Shaun Maloney's strike had sent the hosts out of the drop zone.
"It was a disappointing night for us, we were really second to every ball in the first half," he said. "The first half we were completely dominated. Wigan were the better team and deserved to win."
Wigan enjoyed a bright start and Ferguson looked worried, berating Wayne Rooney from the touchline on one occasion as United looked as lackluster as it has all season.
Controversy struck when Victor Moses thought he had nodded Wigan ahead only for a linesman to harshly rule that Gary Caldwell had obstructed David de Gea. However, the hosts were not left to rue the decision after Maloney's superb curling effort early in the second half.
Wigan climbed up to 17th, one place and two points above the drop zone.
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