Title race heading for the tightest finish since 1989
Source: Agencies |
May 2, 2012, Wednesday
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THE English title race is heading for its tightest finish in 23 years after Manchester City's 1-0 win over Manchester United on Monday left the teams level on points at the top of the Premier League table.
With two matches to play, both Manchester clubs are on 83 points but City leads on goal difference.
Roberto Mancini's City has scored 88 goals and conceded 27 for a goal difference of 61 while United has scored 86 goals and conceded 33 for a difference of 53. Not since Arsenal and Liverpool finished level on points in 1989 has the title race been so close when the teams finished level on points (76) and goal difference (37).
Arsenal's Michael Thomas scored with almost the last kick of the final game of the season to give his side a 2-0 win at Liverpool that clinched the title by virtue of Arsenal having scored more goals over the season.
City has the harder games left this season and that makes United favorites to win the title, according to City manager Roberto Mancini. City's last two matches are at Newcastle United, which is chasing a Champions League place, and home to relegation-threatened Queens Park Rangers. United, meanwhile, will host Swansea City and travels to Sunderland, both opponents safe in mid-table.
Gary Neville, who retired as a United player last season, told Sky Sports that losing the title on goal difference was manager Alex Ferguson's "worst nightmare".
"Losing a championship on goal difference is what he always talks about, every single season," said Neville.
He said United had passed up opportunities to boost its goal difference during the season.
"Look at games like Fulham at home 1-0, QPR at home 2-0, and it's these sort of things you look back at during a season an think, 'we could we have done more'.
"It is his worst nightmare."
As events unfolded on Monday, Ferguson lost his temper with Mancini as the pressure boiled over on the touchline in the second half. Ferguson said Mancini had been "badgering officials" during the match.
The two did shake hands after the game, and Mancini shrugged off the confrontation when told of Ferguson's complaint.
"Him, no? He doesn't talk with the referee and the fourth official? Never?" the Italian said.
The United manager was also frustrated after his defensive 4-5-1 system made little headway against City and hardly created a chance in the game.
The only goal came when City skipper Vincent Kompany headed home from a corner just before halftime and completed a league double over United this season following a 6-1 win in October.
While goal difference may yet have a say, taking six points from their closest rivals could be the key factor in giving City its first top flight title in 44 years.
With two matches to play, both Manchester clubs are on 83 points but City leads on goal difference.
Roberto Mancini's City has scored 88 goals and conceded 27 for a goal difference of 61 while United has scored 86 goals and conceded 33 for a difference of 53. Not since Arsenal and Liverpool finished level on points in 1989 has the title race been so close when the teams finished level on points (76) and goal difference (37).
Arsenal's Michael Thomas scored with almost the last kick of the final game of the season to give his side a 2-0 win at Liverpool that clinched the title by virtue of Arsenal having scored more goals over the season.
City has the harder games left this season and that makes United favorites to win the title, according to City manager Roberto Mancini. City's last two matches are at Newcastle United, which is chasing a Champions League place, and home to relegation-threatened Queens Park Rangers. United, meanwhile, will host Swansea City and travels to Sunderland, both opponents safe in mid-table.
Gary Neville, who retired as a United player last season, told Sky Sports that losing the title on goal difference was manager Alex Ferguson's "worst nightmare".
"Losing a championship on goal difference is what he always talks about, every single season," said Neville.
He said United had passed up opportunities to boost its goal difference during the season.
"Look at games like Fulham at home 1-0, QPR at home 2-0, and it's these sort of things you look back at during a season an think, 'we could we have done more'.
"It is his worst nightmare."
As events unfolded on Monday, Ferguson lost his temper with Mancini as the pressure boiled over on the touchline in the second half. Ferguson said Mancini had been "badgering officials" during the match.
The two did shake hands after the game, and Mancini shrugged off the confrontation when told of Ferguson's complaint.
"Him, no? He doesn't talk with the referee and the fourth official? Never?" the Italian said.
The United manager was also frustrated after his defensive 4-5-1 system made little headway against City and hardly created a chance in the game.
The only goal came when City skipper Vincent Kompany headed home from a corner just before halftime and completed a league double over United this season following a 6-1 win in October.
While goal difference may yet have a say, taking six points from their closest rivals could be the key factor in giving City its first top flight title in 44 years.
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