By VINCE MADURI
Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini has conceded the Premier League title race to rivals Manchester United but insists he will be back next season to try to win it back.
“It’s over, but this doesn’t change anything because we should do our best from now to the end,” Mancini said.
“Every top team, when you can’t win a title, you should try to play well, try to win all the games, and we have the FA Cup semi-final.
“We have Chelsea four points behind, Tottenham five points behind and we play another nine games. For this reason it’s important to keep working hard.”
City, who are behind United by 18 points, face Newcastle at home this weekend.
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ABOU DIABY OUT FOR NINE MONTHS FOLLOWING TRAINING INJURY
Arsenal midfielder Abou Diaby will be out for nine months after the French international tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee during training Wednesday. The injury is the latest in an injury-plagued career for the 26-year-old.
“Abou Diaby injured his left knee in training on Wednesday and subsequent scans have confirmed that he has torn his anterior cruciate ligament,” the club said in a statement. “Following consultations with specialists, Abou will undergo surgery to repair the injury in the near future.
“Abou is expected to be out for around eight to nine months. The thoughts and best wishes from everyone at Arsenal are with Abou, and we all wish him a successful recovery.”
Diaby has appeared 11 times for the club in the Premier League this season without logging either a goal or an assist.
PLATINI SAYS GOAL-LINE TECHNOLOGY IS TOO EXPENSIVE
UEFA President Michel Platini has stated goal-line technology is too expensive for Champions League and the money should be used in youth development first.
“I prefer to put more money into youth football and infrastructure than spend it on technology when there’s a goal in a blue moon that hasn’t been seen by a referee,” Platini said.
FIFA will use goal-line technology at the 2014 World Cup, a move being praised by the majority of people around the world. However, Platini is convinced the cost outweighs the eventual gain.
“It would cost around 54 million euros (£46m) over five years for this technology, so it’s quite expensive for the sort of mistake which happens once every 40 years,