Duo strikes goals to hand
team 2-0 win over Chelsea. PHOTOS: AFP
Chelsea had missed the chance to go ahead early in the second half at the Etihad Stadium when Frank Lampard had a penalty well saved by keeper Joe Hart while City had endured long spells of frustration as their many chances went to waste.
Toure’s sweetly struck shot into the bottom right broke the deadlock in the 63rd minute while substitute Tevez made sure of the three points with a right-footed missile five minutes from time.
The result puts second-placed City 12 points behind leaders Manchester United, who have 68 points from 27 games, while Chelsea stay third with 49.
In the day’s only other Premier League game, Newcastle United beat relegation rivals Southampton 4-2 at home to move six points clear of danger.
United not home and dry yet, warns Ferguson
Meanwhile, Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson says the Premier League title race is far from over despite seeing his side move 12 points clear of Manchester City after a 2-0 win at QPR.
With 11 games remaining, Ferguson’s side are in a dominant position, but the manager refused to declare his side to be champions-elect.
“It’s not over yet,” he said. “The way we can approach the title race is by winning the next game and then trying to win the next game and seeing where it takes us.”
United’s top scorer Robin van Persie suffered an injury scare at Loftus Road but Ferguson hopes it will not keep the striker out of the club’s forthcoming Champions League clash with Real Madrid.
“He collided with a camera in a sort of a dug-out piece of ground, which has given him a sore hip. I would imagine he will be very tender and sore for a few days but hopefully he will be all right, particularly for the Real Madrid game.”
Wenger proud as Arsenal lift gloom
Arsene Wenger insisted he was proud of his Arsenal players after Santi Cazorla lifted the gloom around the Emirates Stadium with a crucial double in a 2-1 win over Aston Villa.
Wenger had faced renewed calls for his resignation after last weekend’s embarrassing FA Cup exit against second-tier Blackburn and the midweek Champions League defeat against Bayern Munich only added to the impression of a club spiralling out of control.
“I’m proud of the attitude of the team,” said Wenger. “We went through some difficult days and responded in a united way.
“I would have stopped this job a long time ago. But we have responsibilities and have to stand up and get the team ready to fight.
“The key for us is to be consistent. A draw would have been a very, very bad result.”
Published in The Express Tribune, February 25th, 2013.
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