Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini has played down his side’s title chances despite the fact they leapfrogged rivals Manchester United in last night’s spectacular 1-0 Premier League clash at the Etihad Stadium.

A Vincent Kompany header in first-half stoppage-time separate the two teams, who for the majority of the match were very evenly matched.

United failed to get a single shot on target at the Etihad, leaving manager Alex Ferguson furious with his side’s performance. (Match Report)

“I think that we deserved to win this game,” Mancini told Sky Sports in his post-match interview.

“We scored, we had chances [and] we played well. We had a chance to score a second goal.

“I don’t think they had a chance a score. It was a good performance. It was a difficult game because United are a top team.”

The sky-blues travel to Newcastle next Sunday, in a game that could very well decide this year’s Premier League title.

“We go to play Newcastle on Sunday – [Manchester United] play an easy game against Swansea.

“For this reason I don’t think it changes [anything] for us. For now, we are top of the league but I think that United have a light advantage yet.”

The Italian was pleased with his side’s overall performance, the home side succeeding in pushing United back and denying them any chances, of which there were none on-target for the visitors.

“[The goal was at] the perfect time for the first half,” Mancini continued. ”But it was important to score another goal in the second half but like this you have a risk [the opposition can equalise].”

Manchester City have two games remaining in this season’s Premier League campaign, their away trip at Newcastle next week is followed by a home visit from Mark Hughes’ Queens Park Rangers side, who may well have been relegated by then.