Moyes urges caution as title race tightens

United manager draws great encouragement from 1-0 win against Arsenal

MANCHESTER: Manchester United manager David Moyes warned that his side still had progress to make after they breathed life into their Premier League title defence by defeating leaders Arsenal.

 

Moyes has seen his team beaten by Liverpool, Manchester City and West Bromwich Albion since the start of the season, but Sunday’s 1-0 win at Old Trafford took United to within five points of top spot.

 

Defeats for Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur this weekend, coupled with Chelsea’s draw against West Brom, have helped United place themselves squarely among the title contenders, but Moyes says there remains work to be done.

 

“I think it’s another step in the right direction for us,” he said. “But we’ve got a lot of big steps to take here. It’s going to take a while for me to get it all the way I’d like it to be.”

 

Moyes says the campaign is living up to expectations following a close season of widespread upheaval.

 

“At the start of the season, we all said [this would happen] because of the changes in managers’ jobs,” he said. “More likely, the reason Arsenal have started the season so well is because they’ve had continuity. They’ve had a manager who’s been there for a lengthy period.”

 

Former Arsenal striker Robin van Persie scored the game’s only goal, heading in a 27th-minute corner from strike partner Wayne Rooney, and Moyes praised both players.

 

“Great players score great goals in big games,” he added. “He’s a great player. And I’ve got to say, his sidekick [Rooney] played great as well. I thought the two of them were both fantastic.”

 

Away day blues worry City boss Pellegrini

 

Manuel Pellegrini has said Manchester City must improve their faltering away form if they are to stand a chance of winning the Premier League title this season.

 

Sunday’s shock 1-0 loss at relegation-threatened Sunderland saw City miss a chance to climb into the top three as their wretched run away from their Eastlands fortress continued.

 

Pellegrini’s side have a 100% record from five home games in the league so far this season, but away from the Etihad Stadium it’s a different story.

 

“I’m concerned with the away form,” said City manager Pellegrini. “We’re losing too many points away, and if you don’t win away from home, that makes it difficult to fight for the Premier League.

 

“I have to repeat that despite losing against Sunderland, we’re not playing badly as a team,” he elaborated. “We had lots of possession and created plenty of chances.”