Could Manchester City Still Make A Late Title Charge?

Defending champions Man City narrowed the gap on United to 13 points last night. Here, writer Jake Beales-Hobson looks at whether an the Citizens could put in a late push to defend their title.

After last nights last-gasp victory against relegation candidates Wigan, Manchester City moved to within 13 points of league leaders Manchester United with a game in hand.

If the game in hand is won, City will move to within 10 points and suddenly United’s strangle-hold on the title will look a lot less secure.

While Sir Alex Ferguson’s side only require 6 points from their 5 remaining games, Manchester United still have some tough games left to play including: Arsenal (A), Chelsea (H) and West Brom (A) on the last day of the season. There is also a slight possibility that Manchester United may drop points in the other fixtures they have remaining against both Aston Villa and Swansea.

Manchester City have recently hit good form after winning 4 games in a row including an FA Cup semi-final at Wembley against Chelsea last Sunday. City’s remaining fixtures do not look, in my opinion, as tough as United’s and all 6 games look winnable. City still have 18 points to play for. If United happen to drop points against Villa and Arsenal in their next two games, it will make for a tense last few games if City can claim 6 points from their two fixtures.

Sir Alex Ferguson was quoted during an interview last weekend as saying that ‘Manchester United never make it easy.’ In response to that, Roberto Mancini also offered his own verdict on the title situation. He has said and repeated for weeks that the title is over. However, I’m sure, as well as the majority of City fans, their is still hope within the City camp that they could yet pull off a miracle for the second year running. They bridged a large gap to win the league dramatically last season, and it could well happen again if things go their way.

Although it seems impossible, stranger things have happened. Other than Tottenham Hotspur at White Hart Lane this Sunday, every other game looks like a Manchester City win on paper. If this is to happen and Manchester United slip up again, it might just bring Manchester City right back into contention, though some bookmakers are offering up to 100/1 that City do the impossible again.

Manchester City still have an FA Cup final to prepare for and that will be the first priority but I’m sure if Manchester United’s form continue’s to dip, the chance of pulling off another late charge for the title will become more and more of a possibility for City.

This weekend’s round of fixtures is likely to prove pivotal and if Roberto Mancini can collect all three points at the Lane on Sunday it will put some pressure on Fergie as his side prepare to welcome Villa to Old Trafford on Monday night. Though the chances of Manchester City winning the Premier League are still incredibly slim, you just never know….

Do you think the title is over? Get involved in the comments section below.