By Greg Stobart at Etihad Stadium
Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini believes his side can push on in their challenge for the Premier League title after putting their January slump behind them with victory against Fulham.
City beat the Cottagers 3-0 at a freezing Etihad Stadium on Saturday evening to move three points clear at the top of the table and put pressure on rivals Manchester United ahead of their game at Chelsea on Sunday.
It came on the back of a stuttering run of form in January, during which City won only three of their eight games in all competitions.
“Maybe something can change after this because January was a difficult month,” Mancini said.
“The most important thing is the clean sheet for the team and to win very quickly after the Everton defeat on Tuesday night.
“We know we are fighting against fantastic teams like Manchester United and Tottenham.
“Like us, they know if you want to win this league you have to win all your games and not think about other teams.
“I don’t think United have more pressure. They are used to it because they always stay there.”
Asked whether he would be cheering for Chelsea when the game kicks off at Samford Bridge on Sunday, Mancini replied: “Yes. I will watch the game but I only support Manchester City.”
City produced a comfortable display in the snow against a lacklustre Fulham side and secured the points through goals from striker Sergio Aguero and Edin Dzeko either side of an own goal from Fulham defender Chris Baird.
Mancini accepted his team may have had luck on their side after Adam Johnson appeared to go down with minimal contact for the spot-kick from which Aguero opened the scoring in the 10th minute.
But the Italian praised his players’ performances and felt the scoreline reflected a professional display from the Premier League leaders.
“I think we played well,” Mancini added. “It’s always good to be lucky and I’m very pleased with my players.
“It was not easy as Fulham is a good team with a fantastic manager. I’m happy because we scored three goals and didn’t concede any chances.”
KUALA LUMPUR, May 22 — Opposition Leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim claimed a symbolic victory today in having the man who unsuccessfully prosecuted him for sodomy join his legal team to defend an illegal assembly charge, pointing out that someone who was in government did not want to be a part of what he called the “dirtiness”.
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