Football: Mancini sets sight on Premier League glory

City manager pleased with 2-0 win over Bolton.

MANCHESTER: Roberto Mancini has set his Manchester City side a target of 10 more victories to secure a first league title in 44 years.

City clinched a 2-0 win over Bolton and host United in the third last game of the season and after their trip to White Hart Lane, Sir Alex Ferguson’s side face West Brom, Wolves, Fulham, Blackburn, QPR, Wigan, Aston Villa and Everton.

City will come up against Swansea, Chelsea, Stoke, Sunderland, Arsenal, West Brom, Norwich and Wolves before that potentially-decisive game.

Going into the weekend, Mancini claimed that United will pick up 11 wins and that all that City have to do is match that.

After the victory over Bolton, he said, “This was important because we have taken three points and we need to keep winning because Manchester United is a very good team.

“If we could win the next 10 games, we would win the title. We just need to keep playing the way we are and we will have a very good chance.”

City coasted to an 18th consecutive Premier League home win thanks to a Gretar Steinsson own-goal and Mario Balotelli’s second-half effort at the Etihad Stadium.

Villas-Boas under pressure

Meanwhile, Andre Villas-Boas admits he is under increasing pressure following Chelsea’s 1-0 defeat at West Bromwich Albion, but the beleaguered boss remains determined to save his job.

Gareth McAuley’s late goal condemned Chelsea to a shock loss at The Hawthorns to leave Villas-Boas’ Blues future hanging by a slender thread.

The west London club have won just one of their last seven matches and only three from their last 12 in the Premier League.

“Will this result increase pressure on me? You have to agree with it,” said Villas-Boas. “We are in the same position but it’s a big disappointment.

“It’s acceptable that pressure piles on a bit more. We have responsibilities to the fans and the club and we did not perform.”

In other games, Newcastle United drew 1 - 1 with Sunderland, while Fulham thrashed Wolverhampton Wanderers 5 - 0. Wigan’s problems worsened as they were beaten 2-0 at home by Swansea. Queens Park Rangers came from behind to secure a 1-1 draw against Everton at Loftus Road.

Blackburn, meanwhile, scrambled a 1-1 draw with Aston Villa at Ewood Park and Stoke beat Norwich 1-0.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 5^th, 2012.