City boss loses more ground in title talk

What a difference 10 months makes.

Yesterday Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini insisted he had not given up hope of retaining the Premier League title despite the yawning 12-point gap between his side and Manchester United.

The Italian said he would “never” think so negatively, comments that are hard to square with remarks he made as last season’s title race hurtled towards its unforgettable conclusion.

Then, Mancini conceded the title after a 1-0 defeat by Arsenal last April left his side eight points behind their bitter rivals with just six games left.

Little over a week later, United slumped to a shock 1-0 defeat at Wigan while City were hammering West Brom 4-0.

Those results reduced the deficit to five points but Mancini maintained his gloomy outlook. “It is finished,” said Mancini. “Five points is too much.”

United dropped further points after a 4-4 draw against Everton while City were beating Wolves to reduce the gap to three with a Manchester derby to come.

Mancini, however, said: “They’re top, three points ahead. After the derby they have two easy games.’’

City won the derby to go top on goal difference with just two games to go top but Mancini said: “Manchester United are still favourites.”

Talk, as they say, is cheap.