Five reasons why Man City will win the title
After leading the title race for so long this season, Manchester City find themselves trailing rivals Manchester United and suddenly it seems the blue half of town are being written off. Fergie's team appear to have easier fixtures remaining and, with the benefit of having been there and done it so many times before, are confident of silencing the noisy neighbours this year. City's surprise Europa League exit and Mancini's admission that he got it wrong against Sporting Lisbon doesn't inspire great confidence for the rest of the season either, but there is only one point in it with ten games to go. Here is why we believe City have plenty of reason to believe… 1. CARLOS TEVEZ The Argentinian striker may not be a model team-mate, but Tevez has always been a controversial figure and that hasn't stopped him from being a success at every club he's played for. He saved West Ham from relegation, was a key component in the Man United team that conquered England and Europe and led City to their first trophy in decades. Even if he is only playing to earn a move away in the summer, a fit and focused Carlos Tevez is an asset any club in the Premier League would covet. People may not like it, but he does the business. 2. CHASING MAN UNITED SUITS CITY Mancini's men have been at their best this season when they go on the attack and now that they are behind United in the league they will need to win most, if not all, of their remaining matches to take the title. Rather than play cagey, defensive football, City will need to get the goals that routinely bring three points. The weight of expectation is now off their shoulders, as front runners United will be expected to use their experience to stay in front, easing the psychological pressure a touch on City. 3. UNITED HAVE TO TRAVEL TO CITY We're not expecting United to be particularly fatigued by their journey across Manchester to Eastlands, but they could very well feel the pain on their way home. City have won all 14 of their home Premier League matches this season, in a Premier League-era record run that extends to 19 matches overall. It's a record they share with United, whose own run of 19 consecutive home wins came to an end when they lost 6-1 to City. 4. CITY'S MANAGEMENT KNOW WHAT IT TAKES Much has rightly been made of Man United and Alex Ferguson's vast experience of winning the Premier League, but while Roberto Mancini has yet to hold that particular trophy aloft, the Italian and his backroom staff are hardly novices. Mancini led Inter - a massive club that was suffering a major title drought - to three consecutive Serie A triumphs and he ended City's wait for success with the FA Cup in 2011. Meanwhile, his assistants Brian Kidd and David Platt have been involved with five Premier League-winning sides (four as assistant to Ferguson for Kidd, one as a player with Arsenal for Platt). Even City's Football Development Executive and Football Administration Officer have four titles between them, as boasted by Patrick Vieira (three) and Brian Marwood (one), both with Arsenal. 5. THE EUROPA LEAGUE EXIT City were disappointed to go out of Europe and very nearly scored the goal they needed to get through to the last eight, with goalkeeper Joe Hart coming close with a late header against Sporting Lisbon. With hindsight, that exit could be a blessing, as City no longer have to contend with the distraction of Thursday night football, which is even more important in light of United's exit at the same stage. The contrast between the two club's eliminations was also stark. While United were utterly outplayed by Athletic Bilbao, showing the limitations of this particular Ferguson team, City's comeback from 2-0 down at home to win 3-2 on the night showed great character and, much like Arsenal's recent turnaround, can serve as a confidence boost.
