YAYA TOURE said Roberto Mancini deserves “full credit” for Manchester City being on the verge of a first championship in 44 years.

City lead Manchester United by a superior goal difference of eight so a win over Queens Park Rangers at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday will seal the title unless the champions beat Sunderland and better that margin.

City had trailed United by eight points following their 1-0 defeat at Arsenal in early April. But Toure, who scored both goals in the 2-0 win at Newcastle United last Sunday, said Mancini had ensured his players still believed they could claim a first title since 1968.

“Full credit to Mancini – an unbelievable boss,” the midfielder said. “He always believed in us, he always tries to tell us: ‘Guys you have to believe in yourselves. Man United can drop some points. The most important thing is that you have to keep on winning games.’ And if we keep on winning we feel United can drop some points enough for us. And we did it.”

Regarding QPR, who require a point to be sure of survival, Toure said: “[We are] very happy but I think the job is not done yet we have to continue to win and look after Sunday. It will be amazing [to win the title] because it’s for that I come to City, to make history and I hope I will make this history the next week. But we know its going to be tough against QPR because they need the points.”

Toure’s crucial opening strike against Newcastle came on 70 minutes after he was pushed forward by Mancini into a more attacking midfield role.

“Yeah that was very important, but brilliant I think not, because I scored a more brilliant goal in Barcelona [before he joined City two seasons ago]. But I think it was amazing [as it was a] very important game for the title race but I think I get lucky to be in the right time to score this important goal for my team.”

Guardian Service