Mancini cautious as City closer to victory

NEWSCASTLE - Agence France-Presse

Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini says his team has not finished the job yet. Mancini’s team hosts QPR in the deciding game of the Premier League season. AFP photo

Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini adopted a cautious approach after a 2-0 victory at Newcastle left his side on the brink of the Premier League.

Yaya Toure’s two goals at St James’ Park on May 6 left visitors City top of the table heading into the final round of matches on May 13.

City, who hasn’t lost at home in the league all season, will welcome strugglers QPR will go into the match with a plus eight goal difference advantage over second-placed champions Manchester United.

Assuming City beats QPR, United would have to win by a huge margin away to Sunderland to deny its cross-town rivals a first English title since 1968.

But while United manager Sir Alex Ferguson suggested City had “two hands” on the trophy Mancini, who wrote off his team’s chances when it was eight points adrift of United a month ago, would only say: “Maybe we are the favorites now. But, in one game, things can change.”

Only halfway

“We should keep our concentration like we have done the last five weeks. I’m excited because we are top, but it’s not enough. If we play like we did here I think we have a fantastic chance to be champions.” Toure is also not as convinced as Ferguson that the race is run.
“Only one hand on the trophy,” was his verdict.