Mancini: Missed chances have cost us

Roberto Mancini has blamed a lack of killer instinct in front of goal for Manchester City’s failure to keep pace with Manchester United this season in the Premier League title race.

City reduced United’s lead to a still formidable 12 points with a 1-0 success at relegation threatened Aston Villa on Monday night courtesy of Carlos Tevez’s first-half goal in stoppage time.

But City manager Mancini acknowledges a failure to overcome other struggling opponents this season, despite carving out plenty of chances, has been a key factor in their downfall.