City boss proud whatever happens

Roberto Mancini says he is proud of Manchester City's performances this season whether they end the campaign as champions or not.

City's crucial victory over Manchester United at the Etihad Stadium on Monday leaves them just two wins away from their first championship since 1968. Yet, the fact the first obstacle is a trip to in-form Newcastle on Sunday just emphasises how much work the Blues still have ahead of them. It also explains why Mancini has continually stressed that United remain favourites, even though City have now knocked them off top spot. No matter how the next 180 minutes pan out, Mancini believes his players have good cause to be satisfied with their efforts, especially considering they were eight points adrift of the Red Devils just four games ago. "I am happy that we are here and we have this chance after being eight points behind United," he said. "This is very important because now we have a big chance. In the end, nothing has changed. "We still have two games to go and in football anything can happen. You can lose or win. But the guys have worked really well and I am proud of this."