English Premier League: Frustration for City as QPR hold firm
Mancini’s side fails to close the gap on Man United.
Manchester City lose the chance to close the gap on United to two points as they were held to a goalless draw against QPR. REUTERS
Title-chasing Manchester City, poised to sell striker Mario Balotelli, could not crack resilient QPR and in-form goalkeeper Julio Cesar in a 0-0 draw at the Premier League’s basement club on Tuesday.
City closed the gap on leaders Manchester United to four points but a frustrating night for Roberto Mancini’s side in a wet and windy capital handed United the chance to increase their advantage.
“Julio Cesar saved everything and we made some mistakes — on another day maybe we could have scored four goals,” Mancini, who signed Brazilian Cesar back in 2005 when Inter Milan manager, told City’s website.
Mancini, who left Balotelli out of his squad with the Italy striker set to move back home to Serie A with AC Milan, went for broke in the second-half with his remaining three frontline strikers Sergio Aguero, Carlos Tevez and substitute Edin Dzeko all on the pitch.
“We did everything to win this game but we didn’t score,” added Mancini. “The pitch was wet, it was windy, it was difficult — we deserved to win but we have another 14 games to go.”
The City manager said it would be difficult for the club to replace Balotelli before the transfer window closed today.
“I don’t know, we have three strikers, we will see. We have only two days. It’s difficult to get a good player now.”
Newcastle send floundering Villa into bottom three
Meanwhile, Newcastle United claimed their first away win of the season with a 2-1 victory at Aston Villa that further deepened the gloom hanging over Paul Lambert’s side.
Debutant Moussa Sissoko teed up Papiss Cisse for Newcastle’s opener and Yohan Cabaye, made it 2-0 just after the half hour with a glorious, dipping half-volley.
Villa stirred in the second half, hitting back with an early penalty from Christian Benteke, but Newcastle held on despite late pressure from the home side.
In another match, League Cup finalists Swansea City were held to a goalless draw at Sunderland, while Stoke and Wigan ended their game 2-2.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 31st, 2013.
City closed the gap on leaders Manchester United to four points but a frustrating night for Roberto Mancini’s side in a wet and windy capital handed United the chance to increase their advantage.
“Julio Cesar saved everything and we made some mistakes — on another day maybe we could have scored four goals,” Mancini, who signed Brazilian Cesar back in 2005 when Inter Milan manager, told City’s website.
Mancini, who left Balotelli out of his squad with the Italy striker set to move back home to Serie A with AC Milan, went for broke in the second-half with his remaining three frontline strikers Sergio Aguero, Carlos Tevez and substitute Edin Dzeko all on the pitch.
“We did everything to win this game but we didn’t score,” added Mancini. “The pitch was wet, it was windy, it was difficult — we deserved to win but we have another 14 games to go.”
The City manager said it would be difficult for the club to replace Balotelli before the transfer window closed today.
“I don’t know, we have three strikers, we will see. We have only two days. It’s difficult to get a good player now.”
Newcastle send floundering Villa into bottom three
Meanwhile, Newcastle United claimed their first away win of the season with a 2-1 victory at Aston Villa that further deepened the gloom hanging over Paul Lambert’s side.
Debutant Moussa Sissoko teed up Papiss Cisse for Newcastle’s opener and Yohan Cabaye, made it 2-0 just after the half hour with a glorious, dipping half-volley.
Villa stirred in the second half, hitting back with an early penalty from Christian Benteke, but Newcastle held on despite late pressure from the home side.
In another match, League Cup finalists Swansea City were held to a goalless draw at Sunderland, while Stoke and Wigan ended their game 2-2.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 31st, 2013.