Mancini gives up hope of title glory

Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini insists his side cannot claim this season’s Premier League despite a 6-1 win over Norwich on Saturday.

A hat-trick from Carlos Tevez and a double from Sergio Aguero were topped off by a late strike from Adam Johnson at Carrow Road as City made light work of Norwich.

The home side’s only joy came when Andrew Surman scored shortly after the break.

Mancini’s men were in superb form as they ran riot over Paul Lambert’s side, and despite back-to-win wins, the City manager says his side cannot catch Manchester United.

“It is impossible. The title race is finished,” Mancini said.

“I think it is too late, I am happy now we play like we did in the first 28 games now we don’t have a few players with injuries.

“For me it is important we finish this season well and have as many points from now until the end.”

Tevez was in imperious form in front of goal and has now scored four in his first two starts since returning to the City fold.

Mancini was delighted with the striker that he had once claimed would never play for the club again.

“I think all the team were terrific, I mean Tevez scored three goals and Aguero two but this is their job so I am happy,” he said.

“I have had Carlos for only the last few games and now he is better, he has improved a lot with his attitude and his strength but he is not 100 percent though I am happy today because after 48 hours he has played again and scored.

“Everyone can make a mistake but I think it is important when you apologise that your manager forgives you because it is impossible to be perfect.

“Nobody is perfect; all of us can make mistakes.”

Meanwhile, despite the heavy loss – their worst of the season – Norwich manager Lambert refused to sink the boots into his players.

“The last 20 minutes yes (we were outplayed), but for 70 minutes I think we matched them,” he said.

“At 2-1 we were right in it in the ascendency though three goals in eight minutes was point from our point of view though I’m not going to criticise my players, the team has been excellent.

“The first two goals were both rockets, absolutely fabulous strikes but the good thing about is was we never wilted.

“Second half we got back in it and started really well and we were right in it but when you are playing against players of that calibre that is what can happen.”

The Canaries beat Tottenham at White Hart Lane on Monday 2-1 but any hopes of claiming another top-four scalp were shattered as the game wore on.

“I thought the team that started out against Tottenham deserved another go although I think they were a bit tired towards the end of the first-half so I changed it up a little bit,” Lambert said.

“You dust yourselves down and you go again but when you are up against lads you can finish like that you have to take your medicine.”

Lambert believes the scoreline was not a fair reflection of his team’s performance.

“I’m not too sure we warranted a 6-1 defeat,” the Scottish coach said.

“I can’t be too critical of the performance and the way we played; we did fine and the second goal was a strike that came from nowhere.

“But we are playing against top draw players though we never wilted until that last period.”