OH DEAR GOD - DRUNKEN BOLLOX AT PALACE
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The fall-out from the most dramatic weekend of the season dominates the pixelated and paper pages of the media this Monday morning as from a seemingly desperate position, City find themselves just three wins from a fourth league title following Sunday’s results.
A Yaya Toure inspired victory over resurgent Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park on the back of Chelsea’s remarkable win at table-toppers Liverpool - a title twist that only a very few would have thought possible - means that the destiny of the Premier League crown is back in in City’s hands.
A trio of wins against Everton, Aston Villa and West Ham, ensuring that their goal difference remains superior to that of the Merseyside reds, and the Blues would be Champions.
But let’s not get carried away just yet!
And that’s certainly the message coming from Manuel Pellegrini who has been widely quoted across the media urging his side to remain calm during what will be a rollercoaster closing fortnight of the season.
The Express’ Colin Bateman’s write-up includes the boss’ post-match thoughts:
“”The good thing is our destiny is in our own hands at the moment.
“"It was very important, and I told the players before the game, not to be thinking about the result between Chelsea and Liverpool. We had to win whatever the result and they reacted in the best way.
""We just had to concentrate on what we had to do. We did that in a very professional way.
“"They knew if they beat Palace they had it in their hands, but we must win the three games.
"We always trust we can do it. After we lost to Liverpool I said we had to play three or four games, and in football all things can happen. We just had to win our games."
Palace’s tormentor Yaya Toure admits that the Blues were aware of the result from Anfield before they kicked-off at Selhurst Park. The Daily Star’s Paul Brown includes quotes from the Ivorian star:
“"To be honest we were looking a little bit at the Liverpool-Chelsea game!
"We played really well. Palace had won a few games recently. It was a tricky game but we did well.
"We have just three games left and we want to focus on winning those.
"We have Everton next. They are a good team and it is tricky again but with our quality we can deal with that.
"I never want to give up. Every game for me is crucial and today we played like it was a final. Between us, Liverpool and Chelsea, it is tight and we need to win all our games."
Likewise, there are words of caution from City’s influential captain Vincent Kompany in Neil McLemen’s Mirror piece:
“”It is difficult to predict the outcome of this league.
“You would be crazy to think it is over, but obviously we did our job. It’s in our own hands and you can’t do more than that.
“There have been so many swaps and changes over the season, we are still very calm.
“By definition, I think we are the team in the league that can't ever give up - especially after the year we won it.
"We just kept our heads down. We knew we didn’t play to well and had to change it - the last two games have been good. Ultimately it's about the last straight and we seem to pick it up at the right time.”
Closer to home, the Manchester Evening News’ Stuart Brennan’s article features quotes from an ecstatic Edin Dzeko who believes it doesn’t matter how the Blues will take the title, be it on goal-difference or otherwise:
““I am happy with the team winning. We are back on track and now have to win these three games. That is all that matters.
“We knew before our game started that Chelsea had won 2-0 at Liverpool, so we went out to do everything we could to win the game.
“There was pressure there, because we knew that somehow we had to win. But from the first minute we played aggressive, attacking football and did a great job.
“We are very happy for that, and happy for the fans who travelled, because they were amazing.
““It could come down to goal difference again. I don’t care how, we just need to do everything to win it again,”
We can handle crazy climax, says Kompany
Vincent Kompany insists Manchester City team-mates have got the know-how to handle the crazy climax to the Premier League season.
Liverpool's loss to Chelsea at Anfield on Sunday and City's victory against Crystal Palace 2-0 swung the title race back in their favour.
Captain Kompany, who was involved when City won the league two years ago with a dramatic, last-gasp victory against Queens Park Rangers on the final day of the season, is confident the team's experience will be of benefit.
"We're ready for it," Kompany said. "We are the team in the league that can't ever give up - especially after the year we won it. You would be crazy to think it is over, but obviously we did our job. It's in our own hands and you can't do more than that.
"We did what we had to do. It is difficult to predict the outcome of this league. There have been so many swaps and changes over the season but we are still very calm.
"We just kept our heads down. We knew we didn't play too well and had to change it - the last two games have been good."
City are third, three points behind leaders Liverpool and one point behind Chelsea. Manuel Pellegrini's side have a game in hand over both their title rivals and possess a better goal difference, but their manager is adamant his side still do not hold an advantage.
"No advantage now, no, but it depends what we can do in the future, that's very important,'' Pellegrini said. "We have always trusted that we can do it.
"The players knew the score [Liverpool's defeat to Chelsea], but it was a very professional performance. It could have been difficult for us to manage the game but we did it very well. For the moment we'll continue in third position, so we have to play and win our three games.
"But the good thing is that the destiny is in our own hands at the moment. This league will be decided by a narrow margin, maybe one point, maybe even goal difference. We have to remain focused in ourselves, and in every single match.
"We are not thinking about goal difference, we are just thinking about how to beat Everton next week. The most important thing is just to concentrate our minds on the next game. If we win our three games, maybe and Liverpool win their two, then maybe the goal difference will be important.
"But before that, we've got to concentrate on the games ahead of us. We must win the three games, I've said all year that all the big teams must feel pressure to win the title. Chelsea, Arsenal, Manchester United: all the big teams feel the pressure to win the title. Now we'll continue with the same pressure, but it's positive pressure.''
Manchester City's Pablo Zabaleta: 'It will be difficult to win final games'
Manchester City full-back Pablo Zabaleta believes that it will be tough to grab maximum points from the club's final three Premier League games as they bid to win the title.
The race for the coveted trophy is now in City's hands after they secured a 2-0 victory over Crystal Palace following Liverpool's defeat to Chelsea on Sunday.
Should Liverpool and City win all of their remaining games, of which the Reds have two, then the title will be decided on goal difference.
"Whoever will be champions will deserve it, and we are one of those that will fight, and hopefully continue winning," Zabaleta told the Manchester Evening News. "We are hungry for the title, but we'll see what happens.
"We still have three games to play, and it is in our hands. We must win those games if we want to win the title again, but it will be very difficult."
City will take on Everton, Aston Villa and West Ham United in their last three fixtures.
Former England international striker Michael Owen has backed Manchester City to win the Premier League title this season.
Liverpool dropped all three points against Chelsea at Anfield as they went down 2-0 on Sunday, while a couple of hours later City ran out comfortable winners against Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park by the same margin.
The results mean that Brendan Rodgers’ side remain at the top of the league table with 80 points from 36 matches, but are now just two points ahead of Chelsea, who are second.
Manuel Pellegrini’s City are third with 77 points, but they have a game in hand over their two rivals.
Owen, who is a Liverpool legend and won the FA Cup and the UEFA Cup with the Reds, has backed the Citizens to collect maximum points from their remaining two home matches and clinch the championship for the first time since 2012.
City will next take on Everton (A) and then confront Aston Villa (H), before rounding off their 2013-14 campaign with a clash against West Ham United (H).
Another Liverpool legend meanwhile ....
Former Liverpool midfielder Terry McDermott does not think Reds striker Daniel Sturridge should have been named in the PFA team of the year.
England hitman Sturridge and team-mate Luis Suarez – who also walked away with the player of the year gong – were the two forwards selected in the ceremony’s line-up.
The pair have plundered 50 goals between them in the top-flight, firing Brendan Rodgers’ men into the heart of the title race.
McDermott, who played for the Merseyside outfit between 1974 and 1982 in a trophy-laden eight-year period, agreed that talisman Suarez deserved to make the list in light of his sensational form.
However, he would have paired the Uruguayan with Manchester City star Sergio Aguero, who has notched 16 Premier League goals despite sustaining several muscle injuries which have kept him sidelined for several weeks at a time.
McDermott said on Twitter: “De Gea, Coleman, Terry, Skrtel, Azpilicueta, Hazard, Gerrard, Toure, Ramsey, Suarez, Aguero #myteamoftheyear.”
DIGITAL STICKERS - UTTER BOLLOX
MCFC is pleased to announce an exciting new partnership with 2STIC and the launch of their first-ever digital sticker album.
Based in Luxembourg, 2STIC has completely revolutionised the fan sticker collection concept, by taking it online and allowing fans to collect, trade and complete their albums through a wide variety of platforms including smartphones, tablets and PCs.
The three-year deal will see the creation of a new MCFC digital album, enabling City fans around the globe to swap stickers of their heroes, anytime, anywhere in the world.
The interactive digital album, packed full with pictures of all the stars including Sergio Aguero, Vincent Kompany, David Silva and Yaya Toure allows fans to scratch beneath the surface and unlock special prizes, such as signed merchandise and match tickets.
Alongside thrilling dynamic action shots and more traditional portrait photography, fans will also be able to watch their favourite players in action through animated images and exclusive video sequences.
Commenting on the partnership, Director of Marketing, Media & Fan Development for MCFC, Diego Gigliani, said:
“Football stickers have a special place in the hearts of football fans around the world. Through partnering with 2STIC, we are now able to take this much loved pastime and enable City fans to share and connect with one another across multiple continents and devices.”
Frank Albert, founder of 2STIC, added:
“At 2STIC we redefine collector’s passions while keeping the nostalgic edge alive and we’re delighted to have partnered with Manchester City – this is the jewel in our crown. The partnership will take Manchester City’s fan communication to a new level and we’re happy to help connecting fans from all over the world.” Fans can register for free to claim their complimentary City stickers at http://www.mcfc.co.uk/2stic or download the 2STIC App, allowing them to swap unlimited doubles directly from smartphone to smartphone.
Collectors will also be sent two free stickers by email daily, as well as being able to purchase packs online for those who want to speed up their collection.
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[/spoiler]Liverpool are eyeing the midfielder dubbed the "new Michael Ballack of German football" in Emre Can, 20, and his Bayer Leverkusen team-mate Heung-Min Son, 21, who is a South Korea international striker. Daily Star
Former England captain Paul Ince has been in Athens to meet Olympiakos officials for the possible transfer to the Greek champions of his son Tom from Blackpool this summer. The 22-year-old winger has spent the second half of the season on loan at Crystal Palace. Channel News Asia
Schalke's 20-year-old left-back Sead Kolasinac - one of the hottest prospects in the Bundesliga - has emerged as a target for Manchester United. Daily Express
Netherlands coach Louis van Gaal has identified midfield as his top transfer priority if he takes over at Manchester United this summer and will target Bayern Munich's Toni Kroos, 24, and Roma's Dutch international Kevin Strootman, 24. Daily Star
Newcastle boss Alan Pardew is ready to bid for Swansea midfielder Jonjo Shelvey, 22. Daily Mirror
Stoke City manager Mark Hughes is hopeful he will sign Liverpool winger Oussama Assaidi on a permanent deal at the end of the season when the 25-year-old's loan stint at the Britannia Stadium comes to an end. Daily Express
Liverpool are the latest club to show an interest in Lyon striker Alexandre Lacazette, 22, who has been watched by Arsenal, Everton, Newcastle and Juventus after scoring 17 goals this season.DSSC
Rio Ferdinand, 35, is pondering offers from Turkish clubs Galatasaray and Besiktas, MLS outfit LA Galaxy and Al Gharafa of Qatar but the Manchester United defender says he would prefer to agree a new contract to stay at Old Trafford. Guardian
Arsenal are said to be considering a move for United midfielder Maraoune Fellaini, 26, a year after his move to Old Trafford from Everton. Caught Offside
Ryan Giggs insists that Manchester United have the right players to make a concerted challenge for the Premier League title next season. Sun
Former United defender Henning Berg says Giggs has the qualities to become a top manager but appointing him at Old Trafford would be a gamble as someone with experience is needed. Goal.com
Meanwhile, United forward Juan Mata, 25, says interim boss Giggs is the perfect man to lead the club as manager. Metro
But Louis van Gaal - who remains the favourite for the job - wants United to name him as manager now so he can concentrate on his World Cup campaign as Netherlands boss. Sun
United are coming under increasing pressure from Nike and Adidas to finalise a new kit deal, thought to be worth around £600m, before the start of the World Cup in June. Daily Telegraph
Newcastle United have played down talk that midfielder Hatem Ben Arfa, 27, has been banished from the squad but the Frenchman could still leave St James' Park this summer. Newcastle Chronicle
West Ham co-owner David Sullivan says their managerial situation will be discussed in the summer following fans' angry protests against Sam Allardyce during Saturday's loss to West Brom. Daily Mirror
Tottenham manager Tim Sherwood is getting frustrated with other managers who he believes are touting themselves for his job. Daily Telegraph
Former Manchester United captain Roy Keane regrets his disrespect to former team-mates Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes for not including them in in his 'greatest Manchester United XI' in a recent documentary. DSSC
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