City prove a point to champions-elect

MANCHESTER City boss Roberto Mancini felt his team proved a point in beating rivals Manchester United 2-1 at Old Trafford last night. But he doesn’t think the result will reignite the title race.

Sergio Aguero came off the bench to score a superb winner as City deservedly edged a tight affair against the runaway Barclays Premier League leaders.

With United still holding a 12–point lead with seven games to go, Mancini still believes City's time as champions is coming to an end.

The Italian said: "The championship is finished but we deserved to win because we played better, we played good football. We know that we can win the title next year.

"This year we made some mistakes, but we can do nothing now. The season is gone.

"It is important we continue to win, but it doesn’t change anything.”

City went ahead when James Milner's deflected strike found the net after Gareth Barry had robbed Ryan Giggs early in the second half.

Phil Jones forced an equaliser when he headed a Robin van Persie free–kick in off Vincent Kompany, but Aguero had the final word 12 minutes from time.

United boss Sir Alex Ferguson claimed City's opener should not have stood. He believed Carlos Tevez should been ruled offside as Milner's piledriver found the net.

But the Scot wasn’t too surprised by City's first back–to–back wins at Old Trafford since 1972, given the nature of United's past triumphs.

"If you look at the history of our club, we always make it difficult for ourselves," said Ferguson.

"We have our supporters hanging on the edge of their seats every year. We have a 12–point lead, but we won't be taking anything for granted.”