Crazy ride looks set to continue for maestro Mancini
Marc Fox
Roberto Mancini, the Manchester City manager, was according to some under pressure to retain his job beyond the end of this Premier League campaign regardless of how the championship unfolded through the final quarter of the season.
If you listened to his detractors, of which admittedly there were precious few, notably from the stands at the Etihad Stadium, Mancini would not be allowed the opportunity to benefit from City's vast off-field resources were he to let a first top flight title in 34 years slip from his grasp.
With two Premier League fixtures remaining, and with Mancini's side back atop the table on goal difference following last night's deserved 1-0 win over United, talk of the Italian's demise was conspicuously absent.
Mancini's standing rose another notch in Manchester following his team's victory over the defending Premier League champions yesterday, and in more ways than one.
Most obviously, his tactics prevented Sir Alex Ferguson's battle-hardened visitors from registering a shot on target the entire match, and not - crucially - because of Mancini's defensive approach that caused so much speculation about his long-term future during last season's battle for fourth place.
Manchester City were near-perfect defensively in terms of how their line-up worked tirelessly to restrict United to huffing and puffing around the box.
"We didn't test their goalkeeper enough," Ferguson conceded afterwards. "We started quite brightly and for 15 minutes our possession of the ball was good, but … I can't complain about the result."
All that was left for the Scot to complain about was Mancini's conduct on the touchline, which so infuriated Ferguson that he launched an unusual tirade as both coaches squared off and had to be separated by the fourth official Mike Jones.
Ferguson accused Mancini of badgering the officials all night without a hint of tongue in cheek, and even then, the Italian stole the moral high ground.
"I can understand [why he reacted] because at this moment the passion was high," he smiled.
If the passion was high in what was at times a subdued derby game, then the pressure on Ferguson and his Manchester United side who have in the past few week let slip an eight-point lead at the top of the table is now intense.
Having come through a torrid spell of matches against the leading sides unscathed during February and March, United have subsequently lost 1-0 to Wigan and then they conceded twice in the final seven minutes against Everton to draw 4-4 at Old Trafford last weekend.
Owing to their superior goal difference, City must now win at Newcastle and beat relegation-threatened QPR at home to secure their first title since 1968.
"You can look back at all sorts of games but you've got to look at the Everton one," said Ferguson on the latest twist in a topsy-turvy title race this season.
"That was a ridiculous performance for the last seven minutes to lose two goals. That's maybe cost us the league."
Mancini's response was to maintain that the title was still United's to lose.
"We now have the chance for the title in our hands," he conceded, "But Manchester United are still favourites.
"Swansea and Sunderland [United's opponents in the final two weeks] have nothing to play for. I am very happy that we are top but it doesn't change anything.
"Football is crazy."
© Marc Fox & Soccerphile.com
Buy tickets for soccer matches around the world