Roberto Mancini on Sunday finally conceded the title is within touching distance for Manchester City but vowed to guard against complacency sabotaging their greatest achievement in 44 years.
After beating Newcastle 2-0 at the Sports Direct Arena, two-goal marksman Yaya Toure admitted City have one hand on the trophy, while Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson said the grip extended to both hands, despite his side beating Swansea.
Both Manchester clubs have 86 points going into the final round of league games but City have a goal difference advantage of eight.
Asked if City have a hand on the trophy, a jubilant Toure said: “I think so. It is not finished and we have to be careful, but it is just one step to go. The manager said I had to deliver as it was an important game. I always thought I came to this club to make a story.”
Mancini, however, refused to endorse the view that Toure’s late double had effectively ensured City will be champions for the first time since winning 4-3 on Tyneside in 1968.
“Maybe we are favourites now, because it is down to us,” said the City manager. “If we beat QPR, we are champions, but that is going to be a difficult game because they are fighting to stay up. It is good that it depends on us.
“Newcastle have had a fantastic season and we had to play really well throughout the whole team to win. Without this victory, beating United last Monday would have meant nothing.
“But all that matters now is making sure we prepare properly for QPR.”
Mancini also warned his players they must not start thinking they have already won the title because that could come back to bite them.
“I am excited that we are top, but it is not enough,” said the Italian. “There is still another week to go. If we play like we did today, there is a good chance we will be champions. But we have to do that. If we start believing the title is ours, we will be making a mistake. I will not allow that. Any talk of the title must wait until 5pm next Sunday.”
Ferguson called on former United striker Mark Hughes, now QPR manager, to take brutal revenge on City by masterminding a last-day victory that could send the title back to the red half of Manchester.
The United manager said: “Mark knows his job all right. He was sacked by City in an unethical way and he’ll remember that. Mark Hughes’ teams always fight but QPR players are fighting for survival.”
QPR need a point at the Etihad to preserve their top-flight status after a Djibril Cisse goal beat Stoke City yesterday. Hughes will return to City for only the second time since he was sacked in 2009.
Goals from United’s Paul Scholes and Ashley Young ensured the title race will go to the final round of games and Ferguson said: “We’ve won the title on three occasions on the last day and we don”t mind doing it again. There could be a Devon Loch. Stranger things have happened in football.”
United wrap up their campaign with a trip to Sunderland and Ferguson told the Old Trafford crowd in a post-match speech to “get ready for the biggest celebration of our lives”; he is adamant his squad will handle the occasion.
He said: “It’s always our job, the expectation and responsibility of Manchester United players is to win the match. We’ll go there optimistic. It won’t be easy but we’ll have a go.” – Daily Mail