United take a huge lead while City get Gunned down

Manchester United moved into a eight-  point lead over Manchester City at the top of the Premieer League on Sunday with just 6 games left to play and looks like they have sealed their 20th English title.United beat QPR 2-0 at Old Trafford to pile the pressure on City ahead of their game away to Arsenal. But City were unable to respond, with Arteta’s wonder strike which lead to the goal 3 mins from time  that secured a 1-0 victory for the Gunners that saw them leapfrog North London rivals Tottenham Hotspur into third place in the table.

City’s misery was compunded when temperamental striker Balotelli was sent-off a minute before the final whistle tough he was lucky to have played the major part of the game as he should have got his marching orders for a harsh tackle that he made on Song in the first half. Mancini before the kick-ogg said that his team had to win if they were to have a chance of being crowned chaimpions of England for the first time since 1968.” Today for us is like a final, otherwise 8 points is too much,” the Italian told Sky Sports.

At Old Trafford, goals from Rooney and Scholes saw United- who are now 2 goals better off on goal difference than City- to victory. Rooney gave United a 15th min lead from the penalty spot after QPR captain Shaun Derry was controversially sent off for bringing down Ashley Young inside the area, with refree Lee Mason ruling that he was denied a clear goal scoring chance. Manson’s decision was harsh on Rangers, who are still above  the relegation zone on goal difference. Derry’s contact appeared minimal and Young looked to be offside which the United manager Sir Alex Ferguson also confirmed by saying ” I thought it was offside”.

Even tough QPR keeper Paddy Kenny correctly dived to his right , Rooney’s well struck penalty gave him his 30th goal of the season and left the visitors , managed by former United striker Mark Hughes, with a mountain to climb. Kenny kept the Rangers in the game until 68th min when he was beaten by a 20 yard shot from veteran mid-fielder Scholes, recalled from retirement this season by Ferguson.

Hughes confirmed QPR would appeal Derry’s red card in a bid to have him availabe for Wenesday’s match at home against Swansea. He went on to say the following

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“We’ll obviously try and appeal that and hopefully get that overturned by Wenesday.We can ill-afford to have any more out. I think everybody understood that the boy(Young) was offside and that there was minimal contact.The boy has gone over too readily.”

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The City game was very disappointing given the context that they had to win to stay with United for the title race. But they were outplayed by Arsenal who were in control of the game from start till finish tough they needed a wonder strike from Arteta to get a goal. It is all but over for City unless thet pray United loose about 3 matches inthe remaining 6 which seems to be more unlikely and the fixture between the two teams now doesnt look like a title decider like a lot of pundits were saying.