Roberto Mancini believes the Premier League title race is still 'finished' despite cutting Man Utd's lead to just five points.
City boss claims league is over regardless of latest results
Roberto Mancini believes the Premier League title race is still 'finished' despite cutting Manchester United's lead to just five points.
The Manchester City boss saw his side return to winning ways with an emphatic 4-0 win over West Brom on Wednesday, while league leaders United simultaneously lost at Wigan.
With the frontrunners still to meet again at the Eithad Stadium, the results appear to have breathed new life into the title race, but Mancini concedes it's too little too late.
When asked if his side were back in contention on the back of Wednesday's results, the Italian told
Sky Sports: "No, it's finished."
"It's important that we are now mathematically in a better position," he added.
"Manchester United is a fantastic team, they have fantastic experience and I think they will win this title.
"But now we have 74 points, we are mathematically in the Champions League."
Sergio Aguero was inspirational for City, scoring two goals and assisting Carlos Tevez and David Silva as the hosts cruised to three points.
Aguero
A recent injury saw Aguero miss City's draws with Stoke and Sunderland, and Mancini admits his side might be in a better position had the 23-year-old been available.
"It's possible," he said. "Sergio was in good form and against Stoke and against Sunderland he could have been very, very important.
"We lost Sergio for two important games and probably some important points. I am happy for him because he scored two goals and he is back for us."
The win ended a three-game winless streak for City, but Mancini insists it "was about time" they returned to winning ways.
Carlos Tevez was handed his first start since September last year and scored his first Premier League goal since May 2011.
Mancini has now challenged the striker, who was exiled for five months following a dispute with the Italian, to regain his fitness in order to complete a full game.
Mancini said: "What's important for him is that he's played his first (start) in six months. I don't think he's ready to play 90 minutes because this is impossible.
"I think he can improve but I think he played well and he has his goal."
