manchester united eight points clear of city
Last Updated : GMT 06:49:16
Arab Today, arab today
Arab Today, arab today
Last Updated : GMT 06:49:16
Arab Today, arab today

20th English title in their grasp

Manchester United eight points clear of City

Arab Today, arab today

Arab Today, arab today Manchester United eight points clear of City

Arsenal's Bacary Sagna (L) vies with Manchester City's Mario Balotelli
London - Arabstoday

Arsenal's Bacary Sagna (L) vies with Manchester City's Mario Balotelli Manchester United all but sealed a 20th English title as they moved into an eight-point lead over Manchester City at the top of Premier League on Sunday with just six games left to play .
United beat Queens Park Rangers 2-0 at Old Trafford to pile the pressure on City ahead of their match away to Arsenal later Sunday.
But City were unable to respond, with Mikel Arteta's goal three minutes from time securing a 1-0 victory for the Gunners that saw them leapfrog north London rivals Tottenham Hotspur into third place in the table.
City's misery was compounded when temperamental striker Mario Balotelli was sent-off a minute before full-time.
Before kick-off, City manager Roberto Mancini said City had to win if they were to have a chance of being crowned champions of England for the first time since 1968.
"Today for us is like a final, otherwise eight points is too much," the Italian told Sky Sports.
Afterwards Mancini, asked if City's title bid was finished, replied: "Not mathematcially. It's very diffuclt but we will do our best."
Mancini appeared to have run out of patience with compatriot Balotelli, who was sent off after collecting a second yellow card for a foul on Bacary Sagna, having been lucky to avoid a straight red in the 20th minute for a horrible challenge on Alex Song.
"The first tackle was bad," said Mancini. "I defend Mario because he is a good guy but if he doesn't change in the future he could waste his talent. He can't continue to play like this."
At Old Trafford, goals from Wayne Rooney and Paul Scholes saw United -- who are now two goals better off on goal difference than City -- to victory.
England striker Rooney gave United a 15th minute lead from the penalty spot after QPR captain Shaun Derry was controversially sent off for bringing down Ashley Young inside the area, with referee Lee Mason ruling he'd denied a clear goalscoring chance.
Mason's decision was harsh on Rangers, who are still above the relegation zone on goal difference. Derry's contact appeared minimal and Young looked to be offside.
"I thought it was offside," said United manager Sir Alex Ferguson.
"There have been lots of decisions like that in the last few weeks. The boy (Derry) did just enough to off-balance Ashley and, being the last defender, the referee felt he had no option.
"I felt we were a little bit out of our comfort zone after that, I didn't enjoy it," he added.
"Before the sending-off our speed was terrific, we had some good play, but the sending-off unsettled us and put us out of our comfort zone."
Even though QPR keeper Paddy Kenny correctly dived to his right, Rooney's well-struck penalty gave him his 30th goal of the season and left the visitors, managed by former United striker Mark Hughes, with a mountain to climb.
Kenny kept QPR in the game until the 68th minute when he was beaten by a 20-yard shot from veteran midfielder Scholes, recalled from retirement this season by Ferguson.
Hughes confirmed QPR would appeal Derry's red card in a bid to have him available for Wednesday's match at home to Swansea.
"We'll obviously try and appeal that and hopefully get that overturned by Wednesday," he said. "We can ill-afford to have any more out.
"I think everybody understood that the boy (Young) was offside and that there was minimal contact. The boy has gone over too readily."

arabstoday
arabstoday

Name *

E-mail *

Comment Title*

Comment *

: Characters Left

Mandatory *

Terms of use

Publishing Terms: Not to offend the author, or to persons or sanctities or attacking religions or divine self. And stay away from sectarian and racial incitement and insults.

I agree with the Terms of Use

Security Code*

manchester united eight points clear of city manchester united eight points clear of city

 



Name *

E-mail *

Comment Title*

Comment *

: Characters Left

Mandatory *

Terms of use

Publishing Terms: Not to offend the author, or to persons or sanctities or attacking religions or divine self. And stay away from sectarian and racial incitement and insults.

I agree with the Terms of Use

Security Code*

manchester united eight points clear of city manchester united eight points clear of city

 



GMT 07:55 2017 Tuesday ,28 March

Wafaa Amer wears Hijab in 'The Flood'

GMT 03:34 2017 Thursday ,16 February

Maastricht aims to rekindle European dream, 25 years on

GMT 05:12 2017 Saturday ,01 July

‘Star Wars’ droid R2-D2 auctioned for $2.8m

GMT 01:34 2016 Friday ,28 October

PAP president arrives in Cairo

GMT 07:36 2017 Wednesday ,22 February

Wafaa Amer is happy for Sherihan’s return

GMT 23:08 2018 Monday ,22 January

BOC announces 2018 programme

GMT 09:46 2015 Thursday ,30 July

Tom Cruise attend 'Mission: Impossible' premiere

GMT 01:18 2017 Wednesday ,22 February

Three astronauts touch down after 6 months in space

GMT 11:04 2017 Wednesday ,22 February

Top US envoys to meet Mexico president to calm tension

GMT 11:33 2017 Saturday ,11 November

PM lauds sacrifices of Pakistan Army against terrorism

GMT 14:56 2017 Thursday ,17 August

Alibaba profit nearly doubles on robust revenues

GMT 15:06 2017 Monday ,13 March

Europe-Turkey rift widens
Arab Today, arab today
 
 Arab Today Facebook,arab today facebook  Arab Today Twitter,arab today twitter Arab Today Rss,arab today rss  Arab Today Youtube,arab today youtube  Arab Today Youtube,arab today youtube

Maintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2025 ©

Maintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2025 ©

arabstoday arabstoday arabstoday arabstoday
arabstoday arabstoday arabstoday
arabstoday
بناية النخيل - رأس النبع _ خلف السفارة الفرنسية _بيروت - لبنان
arabstoday, Arabstoday, Arabstoday