Mancini not celebrating yet, Pardew proud

Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini has insisted the title race is not over despite his side’s 2-0 victory over Newcastle on Sunday.

A second-half double from Yaya Toure ensured the Italian’s side remain top of the Premier League going into the final game of the season against QPR next week at the Etihad Stadium.

Even with Sunday’s 1-0 win over Stoke City, Mark Hughes’ men find themselves just two points above the relegation zone – a factor Mancini is aware will mean they are no pushovers.

“We have another game and it will be another difficult game because QPR are fighting against relegation and so it will not be easy next Sunday,” Mancini told reporters.

“It is not finished. We are in the same situation we were after Monday night. But maybe we are favourites because if we beat QPR we will be champions but at this moment we cannot think about this. We need to prepare very well for QPR.

“It will be like last week and the week before. There will be no change. United, Newcastle and QPR are all difficult games. If we think that we have won the championship, we will be making a big mistake.

“I am excited because we are at the top but that is not enough because there is one week more but if we play like we did today then have a big chance of winning.

“Winning the league is important for everyone – the owner, the chairman our supporters, for us because we work hard – because together it is a good team but it needs to do it for one game more.”

The former Inter boss was satisfied with his side’s performance, reserving special praise for midfielder Toure, while paying tribute to Newcastle, who missed out on the chance to go third.

“He is an important player for us because he has experience of winning trophies with Barca and he brought this experience with us. He is a fantastic player and he can play in different positions. But we also have other good players who can play with him and I think that until now all the players did very well,” he said.

Newcastle United manager Alan Pardew admitted his team’s prospects of forcing their way past Arsenal and Tottenham next weekend are doubtful but he is certain performances this season have restored pride at the Sports Direct Arena.

Pardew spoke out after leading his players on a lap of appreciation following the 2-0 defeat by City, which means even victory for Newcastle in their last game of the season at in-form Everton on Sunday might not be enough to bring Champions League football to the club.

“The most important thing that the fans must feel deep inside them is that we have brought some respect back to this club which, as the unveiling of the Sir Bobby Robson statue showed, has a tradition and history some clubs just don’t have the fabric that we have got,” Pardew told reporters.

“You get beaten 2-0 at home on the last home game of the season and you expect the stadium to be empty.

“There has probably been a few times when that has happened, but for them to all stay behind and pay their respects as we did to them wasn’t shallow, because I don’t think we would be in this position without them.

“They have been a big part of the home form that has been terrific.

“Both Arsenal and Tottenham need to win and that pressure could help us. Arsenal need to win because fourth place is not going to guarantee Champions League football.

“They have to win in case Spurs finish above us. That could be significant. For our part there is a simple equation. We have to win at Everton, which might not be enough. There is no draw and, looking at results, we need to win.”