Manchester City still not back in title race, says Roberto Mancini

Roberto Mancini has insisted his Manchester City team still have no chance of overtaking their neighbours at the top of the Premier League despite returning to form in spectacular style with a 6-1 win at Norwich City. The result was a drastic improvement in City's recent away matches as their six-goalhaul eclipsed their tally from the previous 10 away games combined but Mancini maintained that Manchester United are still certain to be crowned champions even though Sir Alex Ferguson's team showed their vulnerability by losing at Wigan last Wednesday. "It is impossible for us," Mancini said. "The race is finished." The Italian denied that this stance was a psychological ploy even though it contradicted the optimism that he expressed a couple of weeks ago when his team were eight points behind United. "I only said that because I was disappointed, I didn't think it. I hope you are right to say we can still win it but I don't think so." City's triumph at Carrow Road invited an obvious "What if?" question, as three of their goals were scored by Carlos Tevez, who, in addition to that plunder, combined brilliantly with his Argentinian compatriot Sergio Agüero, who also sparkled as he scored twice. It was impossible not to wonder how different City's campaign might have been if that duo had been able to play togethermore regularly.