City are top of the standings after defeating Arsenal 1-0 courtesy David Silva’s winner in an entertaining clash. But ahead of a busy programme, Mancini has told his men to prepare for a tough battle.
“We can’t win the title without a fight from United,” said Mancini. “It’s impossible. We want to stay top for a long time, not only for Christmas.”
Defeat left Arsenal 12 points adrift of City and manager Arsene Wenger conceded it would be tough for the Gunners to win the title now.
“It’ll be difficult to close the gap now,” said Wenger. “This was a game we couldn’t afford to lose. It’s difficult to take.”
Spurs won’t sell Pavlyuchenko
Meanwhile, Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp has told Russian striker Roman Pavlyuchenko he can forget about leaving in the January transfer window. The striker came off the bench to get the winner in the 1-0 win over Sunderland as Tottenham rose to third in the standings.
With Euro 2012 just months away, Pavlyuchenko has made it clear he would like to play more often. But Redknapp is adamant that nobody will be leaving Tottenham in January.
“The ones you pick love you, the ones you don’t can’t stand the sight of you,” he said.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 20th, 2011.
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