Mancini maintains title hopes are over

Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini insisted Manchester United will still win the Premier League despite closing the gap at the top.

City beat West Bromwich Albion 4-0 at the Etihad Stadium as Wigan shocked United 1-0 on Wednesday to reignite the title race.

Second-placed City trails United by five points with five games remaining, including a tantalising local derby between the two sides, but Mancini believes United’s superior team spirit will prove decisive.

“I think the title is still over because United are a fantastic team and I don’t think they can lose five points,” Mancini said.

“I will fight every day and so will my team, but I think it’s too late. I think United have fantastic spirit, we don’t have the same spirit.

“For us it’s important to finish the season well. It’s been a good season for us, our best since 1968 when Manchester City won the championship.

“This is not mind games, United have fantastic experience and we don’t have it.”

A Sergio Aguero double and strikes from Carlos Tevez and David Silva sealed a convincing win for City following draws against Stoke City and Sunderland and a loss to Arsenal.

West Bromwich manager Roy Hodgson said the score was “a major blow to my pride” and suggested City could still feature in title calculations.

“We lost to a better team,” Hodgson told Sky Sports.

“The bottom line was we came here with dreams and hopes of denting Manchester City but we weren’t able to do so. They won deservedly and convincingly.

“Five points in five games is a lot better odds than eight points.

“(United manager) Sir Alex (Ferguson) will be disappointed not to have got something from the Wigan game but he wouldn’t have expected us to beat Man City today.

“The title race is a little bit more interesting than it was before but there’s still a long way to go. They are both playing very well and difficult teams to beat.”