Premier League: United still better than us, says Mancini

City back on top after 1-0 win over Villa; United, Spurs keep up chase.

LONDON:

Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini hailed his side’s resilience as it moved back to the top of the Premier League with Joleon Lescott’s goal clinching a hard-fought 1-0 win over Aston Villa.

City had surrendered pole position to Manchester United after their bitter rivals’ 2-1 win against Liverpool on Saturday but underlined their determination to wrestle the title from Old Trafford with a gritty victory in freezing temperatures at Villa Park.

Lescott struck midway through the second half to lift City two points clear of United, while Villa are down to 15th place after their fifth defeat in their last seven home matches.

“I’m very pleased with all the players because I think they gave a very good performance,” said Mancini.  “They played very well. We would’ve been really unlucky if they had scored with the last chance. It’s not easy to play at Villa because they’re a good team. But if you don’t score twice, maybe in the end you can be at some risk.”

‘United still better than us’

Mancini was delighted with the character shown by his squad in grinding out the victory but insisted their neighbours remain the side to beat.

“For us December and January were difficult months because we had players injured, players banned and players away.

“But to stay on the top with Manchester United and Tottenham, I think that we have to be very strong because United are still better than us.”

Meanwhile, Villa manager Alex McLeish had no complaints with the display from his players and felt they were unfortunate to depart with nothing to show for their efforts.

“We had a game plan and I thought the players did really well in executing it,” said McLeish. “If you open up early and leave yourself wide open against City they will destroy you. I thought the players executed the plan really well and the discipline was fantastic.”

McCarthy sacked

Earlier, West Bromwich Albion piled on the misery for struggling Wolves as Peter Odemwingie’s hat-trick inspired a 5-1 thrashing of their local rivals in the ‘Black Country’ derby at Molineux.

This was followed by Wolves sacking manager Mick McCarthy, who took over at the club in 2006, guiding them into the Premier League in 2009. But the club have won just one of their last 11 Premier League games and are now 18th in the table.

“The board took the difficult decision after a run of form which has seen Wolves pick up 14 points in the last 22 league games,” read a club statement. “[McCarthy’s assistant] Terry Connor will take charge of team training in the interim until a new manager is appointed.

“The board would like to place on record their sincere thanks and appreciation to Mick McCarthy and he leaves with the very best wishes of everyone connected to the club.”

McCarthy also publicly apologised for his players’ capitulation against West Brom.

“It’s an understatement to say it’s been a disappointing afternoon,” said McCarthy. “It was an awful performance. I don’t often do it, but I apologise for that.”

Among the favourites to replace McCarthy are Neil Warnock, recently sacked by QPR, former Sunderland boss Steve Bruce and ex-West Ham manager Alan Curbishley.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 14^th, 2012.