Mancini plays down ‘deserved’ Manchester City triumph over United

A superb defensive display from the Blues, who prevented the Red Devils from having a single shot on target all match, ensured they went top of the league with the 1-0 win

Roberto Mancini continued to play down Manchester City’s title chances despite leapfrogging Manchester United at the top of the table with a 1-0 win over the reigning Premier League champions.

Vincent Kompany's header in first-half stoppage-time was all that separated the teams, but they outplayed the visitors for the majority of the match. Sir Alex Ferguson’s side were denied a single shot on target at the Etihad Stadium, and Mancini was convinced the victory was well earned.

"I think that we deserved to win this game," he told Sky Sports after the game.

"We scored, we had chances [and] we played well. We had a chance to score a second goal.

"I don’t think they had a chance a score. It was a good performance. It was a difficult game because United are a top team."

The Blues have to travel to Newcastle United next Sunday before facing QPR on the final weekend of the season at the Etihad Stadium.

He said: "We are happy but I think that next Sunday we’ll have another difficult game."

The former Inter Milan boss brushed off suggestions he should publicly back his team as contenders for the title now for his supporters’ sake.

The Italian added: "I don’t think that it’s important what I can say for our supporters or my players. It is important that we work well.

"We go to play Newcastle on Sunday - [Manchester United] play an easy game against Swansea.

"For this reason I don’t think it changes [anything] for us. For now, we are top of the league but I think that United have a light advantage yet."

The match began awkwardly and it looked like the players were going to head in at the break with a 0-0 scoreline until Kompany’s powerful header, shrugging off his marker Chris Smalling.

"[The goal was at] the perfect time for the first half," Mancini admitted.

"But it was important to score another goal in the second half but like this you have a risk [the opposition can equalise]."

Sir Alex Ferguson and Roberto Mancini clashed at one point in the second half when they diasgreed with a refereeing decision at the other side of the pitch.

'Anything can happen but United have more chance than us' - Manchester City boss Mancini

The 47-year-old continues to be downbeat on his side's hopes of winning the Premier League even though a victory on Monday could put them ahead on goal difference

Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini remains downbeat on his side’s chances of wrenching the Premier League title away from Manchester United.

City could pull ahead of their neighbours on goal difference at the top if they win their crucial derby match on Monday, but the Italian still expects the Red Devils to triumph.

“I am not surprised because in football, until you finish the championship or every game, anything can happen,” Mancini told reporters when quizzed on United’s slip from a clear lead to allow his side back into the race.

“But my opinion is always the same - I think they have more chance than us.

"We play the derby [on] Monday and then afterwards Newcastle, that will be a very tough game, then after that QPR.

"Instead, United will play against Swansea and Sunderland and I think for them they will be two easy games.

"I think [even] if we win this game, they are favourites."

Mancini’s opposite number, Sir Alex Ferguson, has labelled Monday’s match “the derby of all derbies”, and the 47-year-old concurred with the assessment.

“After 50 years, Manchester United and Manchester City are playing for the title [once more]. For this reason I agree with him,” he added.

There could also be a return in store for controversial striker Mario Balotelli, whom Mancini had previously implied would not play again this season after his red card against Arsenal. However, with his ban at an end, the coach hinted that he could be involved.

“We have another two training sessions but all the players are available,” said the former Inter boss.

“I have 48 hours until the game, I have time to decide for every player.”

Ronaldo: I still miss Manchester United

Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo admits he misses former club Manchester United and insists he still enjoys a healthy relationship with Sir Alex Ferguson.

The winger spent six years at Old Trafford before switching to the Spanish giants for a record fee of £80 million in 2009.

This season has seen the 27-year-old break his own record of 40 goals in La Liga and he clinched the winner in last weekend’s El Clasico, putting Madrid in the driving seat for the title.

However, Ronaldo claims he still chats with former manager Ferguson and admits he misses the company of his old team-mates.

Speaking to Zoo magazine, he said: “I speak with Sir Alex sometimes and of course I miss Manchester.

“It felt like I left a family back there because I spent six years with all those guys and I still have a very good relationship with Ferguson and the rest of the lads.

“I still speak with Rio Ferdinand, Nani, Anderson and Patrice Evra. I still see them as a big family, so of course I miss them.

"I especially miss the apple crumble and custard they served at Carrington after training — it was amazing!"

Asked what he particularly missed about working under Fergie, Ronaldo joked: “Ha! I miss his good moods all the time! Always happy. Ha ha!

“But he always had a good energy around the players and the team — and I miss that.”

Ronaldo also insists that he has grown as a player since his United days, but recognises his Champions League win with the Red Devils as one of his many highlights as a player.

He added: "I’m enjoying my football so much at the moment and I think I’m much better now than when I was younger.

"The best moments of my career so far have been when I won the Champions League with Manchester United and when I won my first title here with Real Madrid.

"And when I won the best player in the world, the Golden Boot — those were all special moments for me. Of course, I have many regrets and not just on the pitch, either. But I always try and improve myself.

"When I do something good, I carry on doing that and when I make mistakes I try to change them. I never regret making mistakes because I like to learn from them on and off the pitch.

"Last season I scored 40 goals and now the fans expect me to score more. That’s a lot of pressure but I always try to improve on the last year."

The explosive attacker is expected to be one of the major stars to watch in this summer’s Euro 2012 tournament and he believes Portugal can pull through a difficult group which includes Germany and Holland.

"My expectations for Portugal in the Euros are high because it’s a great competition," he added.

"We are in a very hard group and it will be tough to beat Germany and Holland but I think it will be possible for us to go forward."

And when asked if he could play for Portugal at London 2012 later this year, he added: "Why not? You never know."

Manchester United 4-4 Everton: Rooney double cancelled out by Jelavic & Pienaar as visitors save thrilling point from two goals down

The Toffees went ahead through Nikica Jelavic but Wayne Rooney equalised before the break. In the second half, six goals spilt equally ensured that United left the ground disappointed, having led 4-2 with seven minutes to play.

There was only one change from United's team who beat Aston Villa 4-0 last week, with Ashley Young replaced in the starting lineup by Nani following a week of controversy over the award of a penalty kick in the opening stages of that match.

For Everton, David Moyes made three changes to the side who lost out to Liverpool at Wembley, with Tony Hibbert and Phil Jagielka coming into the defence in place of Leighton Baines and Tim Cahill, with Sylvain Distin moving to left-back. Magaye Gueye was also replaced by Steven Pienaar.

The visitors created the early opportunities of the game, the first with a header from Leon Osman that David de Gea saw comfortably wide.

The Spanish keeper was then forced into more urgent action in the fifth minute as Nikica Jelavic got a sight of goal, springing the offside trap but seeing the shot saved low to his left.

Nani had the first shots for the hosts, cutting in off the left flank to curl two efforts, one of which flew wide and Tim Howard comfortably saving the second.

Paul Scholes had an effort in the 16th minute from distance, but Howard saw it wide before the visitors had a dangerous counterattack, but Rio Ferdinand did well to clear the danger.

Everton were doing a good job of containing United's attacks in the opening half-hour and looking to spring some quick breaks of their own, with Marouane Fellaini holding the ball up well.

Former United man Darron Gibson had a shot from distance soon after the half-hour mark, but again the goalkeeper went untested as it screwed wide.

And in the 33rd minute the visitors took the lead. Hibbert put in a deep cross from the right wing, and Jelavic headed the ball perfectly over De Gea and into the far corner.

The keeper no chance, and Jelavic became the first player to score a league goal against the Spaniard since Jermain Defoe netted for Tottenham in United's 3-1 win on March 4.

United were almost back in it straight away as Scholes hit another effort from the edge of the area, this one taking at least two deflections before Howard did well to block it.

And in the 41st minute, the hosts were level. Nani whipped in a devilish ball from the left wing that just passed over the head of former United player Phil Neville, and Rooney nodded the ball home from six yards out past the helpless Howard.

With that header, Rooney moved joint fourth in Manchester United's all-time goalscoring list, level with Dennis Violett and George Best on 179 goals for the club.

In the last action of the first half, Sylvain Distin was rather harshly booked for bringing down Antonio Valencia as the winger looked to get through on the right wing. The defender appeared to use only his shoulder in a battle of strength.

There was a break in play shortly after half-time as Osman and Patrice Evra clashed heads nastily in an aerial battle, but both players were fine to continue.

And Everton quickly found themselves not only behind but two goals down thanks to some wonderful attacking play from the hosts.

United took the lead in the 57th minute through slightly controversial circumstances. Pienaar had gone down with an injury to his midriff, but referee Mike Jones let play go on, contrary to a situation in the first half when Everton were on the attack and the play was brought back due to an injury for Jonny Evans.

But as play significantly progressed, the ball fell to Nani, who found Welbeck on the edge of the area. The striker dummied a shot to make space for himself and curled a wonderful effort into the top corner.

And four minutes later United extended their lead with a great team move. After some good passing involving Valencia and Carrick, the central midfielder found Welbeck in the box and the striker flicked the ball into the path of the on-rushing Nani, who took a touch before dinking the ball over Howard to extend their lead.

Everton were straight back in it though, as Fellaini volleyed home from another Hibbert cross in the 67th minute, with some very suspect marking on show from United's central pairing of Evans and Ferdinand.

But two minutes later United extended their lead again with some great link-up play between their strikers.

Valencia aimed a pass in towards Welbeck, and the striker stepped over the ball, bewildering Jonny Heitinga and beating him for pace as he let the ball roll to Rooney.

The Liverpudlian played a pass in behind for his strike partner to latch onto, and the ball was then squared for Rooney to notch his 26th Premier League goal of the season, taking him one goal behind Robin van Persie in the race for the golden boot.

Rooney is now only behind Denis Law, Bobby Charlton and Jack Rowley in United's all-time goal scoring record after scoring his 180th strike for United.

But the game wasn't quite over. Evra almost made sure of the victory when his diving header hit the post, but Everton incredibly drew level with two goals in as many minutes.

A ball hoisted into the area by Neville wasn't dealt with by Ferdinand and Evans, and it fell to Jelavic who volleyed past De Gea, with the keeper again standing no chance.

And straight away Everton were on the attack, with Neville again finding Fellaini in the box, this time into feet. The Belgian managed to turn and find the unbelievably unmarked Pienaar at the front post to poke the ball past De Gea.

Despite all of United's late efforts to find a winner, including a volley from Rio Ferdinand that was brilliantly saved by Howard, United dropped two points and handed Manchester City a timely boost in the title race.