City keeps fading title hopes alive
Source: Agencies |
March 6, 2013, Wednesday
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CARLOS Tevez ensured Manchester City's flickering Premier League title defense stayed alive another week by scoring in a 1-0 win at relegation-threatened Aston Villa on Monday in Birmingham.
Man City substitute Edin Dzeko dispossessed center back Ciaran Clark in a contentious challenge in first-half stoppage time, dribbled toward the box before finding Tevez, who dummied to fool goalkeeper Brad Guzan and defender Nathan Baker before slotting the ball into the net at Villa Park.
Clark complained he had been fouled by Dzeko, but referee Mike Dean ignored the protests to award the goal.
"I don't think it was a foul," Villa manager Paul Lambert said. "I know what Ciaran was trying to do. You don't take a chance like that - you can't make that mistake. "He's a young lad and he will come back stronger. He's been great over the season, at a really high standard, and he will learn."
City stayed 12 points behind leader Manchester United in second place with 10 rounds left. Roberto Mancini's team is also five points clear of third-place Tottenham.
"We did a good performance and it was difficult," Mancini said after the game. "For us it was important to stay 12 behind United, with 10 games left you never say never. Keep on winning and you never know - this is football.
"We know it will be difficult but we must try - we hope that they (United) can lose a point or two before the derby, that would be better for us."
City and United meet in the Premier League on April 8.
Villa has now lost seven home matches this season, winning only once in the past 11 games to remain 18th and in the drop zone because of an inferior goal difference. Upcoming matches against rival relegation candidates Reading and QPR will go a long way to deciding Villa's fate.
Tevez came into the starting line-up in the only change from the team that beat Chelsea 2-0 last round after striker Sergio Aguero injured his knee in training.
City started sluggishly, but before long Tevez was a constant threat to the Villa defense with his skill and energy while James Milner posed problems down the flank against his former club.
City was also indebted to Tevez for clearing a header from Christian Benteke off the line from a corner in the 22nd minute.
Man City substitute Edin Dzeko dispossessed center back Ciaran Clark in a contentious challenge in first-half stoppage time, dribbled toward the box before finding Tevez, who dummied to fool goalkeeper Brad Guzan and defender Nathan Baker before slotting the ball into the net at Villa Park.
Clark complained he had been fouled by Dzeko, but referee Mike Dean ignored the protests to award the goal.
"I don't think it was a foul," Villa manager Paul Lambert said. "I know what Ciaran was trying to do. You don't take a chance like that - you can't make that mistake. "He's a young lad and he will come back stronger. He's been great over the season, at a really high standard, and he will learn."
City stayed 12 points behind leader Manchester United in second place with 10 rounds left. Roberto Mancini's team is also five points clear of third-place Tottenham.
"We did a good performance and it was difficult," Mancini said after the game. "For us it was important to stay 12 behind United, with 10 games left you never say never. Keep on winning and you never know - this is football.
"We know it will be difficult but we must try - we hope that they (United) can lose a point or two before the derby, that would be better for us."
City and United meet in the Premier League on April 8.
Villa has now lost seven home matches this season, winning only once in the past 11 games to remain 18th and in the drop zone because of an inferior goal difference. Upcoming matches against rival relegation candidates Reading and QPR will go a long way to deciding Villa's fate.
Tevez came into the starting line-up in the only change from the team that beat Chelsea 2-0 last round after striker Sergio Aguero injured his knee in training.
City started sluggishly, but before long Tevez was a constant threat to the Villa defense with his skill and energy while James Milner posed problems down the flank against his former club.
City was also indebted to Tevez for clearing a header from Christian Benteke off the line from a corner in the 22nd minute.
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