City on track but Zabaleta wary
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E-mail Shanghai Daily, May 9, 2014
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Manchester City took a giant step towards the Premier League title after a 4-0 win over Aston Villa moved them two points clear at the top of the table. |
Manchester City has one hand on the English Premier League trophy but defender Pablo Zabaleta remains wary of allowing any repeat of the heart-stopping manner in which it claimed the title two seasons ago.
Wednesday's 4-0 victory at home to Aston Villa sent it two points clear of Liverpool, and with a vastly superior goal difference and a point from Sunday's clash with West Ham United will see City repeat its 2011-12 success.
That win, City's first top flight title since 1968, came after Sergio Aguero's dramatic late winner against Queens Park Rangers on the season's last day.
Fellow Argentine Zabaleta said his side must guard against making life difficult for themselves at the Etihad Stadium this time around.
"It was a massive step towards taking the title but we still have one game to play," the 29-year-old right back said.
"We know from two years ago, when we beat QPR in the last minute to win the title, just how quickly it can change."
The only realistic way City can lose the title is if it is beaten by West Ham and Liverpool takes three points against Newcastle United.
City has beaten the east London side three times this season, 3-1 in the league and 9-0 over two-legs in the League Cup, but Zabaleta refused to take victory for granted against a side which has secured its Premier League status for next season. "We know West Ham are safe but they have very good players and can score at set-pieces," he added.
However, manager Manuel Pellegrini voiced confidence. "Now we can talk about the title. We must win the last game against West Ham," he said.
Despite the scoreline, City's victory did not come easy, with all the goals coming in the final 26 minutes.
Edin Dzeko scored the first two to take his tally to nine goals in the past 10 league matches, followed by late strikes to Stevan Jovetic and Yaya Toure.
The Bosnia striker, who like Zabaleta scored in the win over QPR to secure the 2011-12 title on goal difference over Manchester United, said that victory would help dictate the way they approached Sunday's match.
At the other end of the standings, Sunderland guaranteed its Premier League survival when goals by Jack Colback and Fabio Borini sealed a 2-0 win over West Bromwich Albion which effectively ended Norwich City's hopes of remaining in the top flight.
With Sunderland moving to 38 points and West Brom one place above the relegation zone on 36, Norwich is three points further adrift with a vastly inferior goal difference.
Sunderland boss Gus Poyet had claimed it would need a miracle to escape the drop when his side lost 1-5 to Tottenham Hotspur in April, a defeat that left it bottom of the table and seven points adrift of safety.
His prayers were answered as his side went on a remarkable run, culminating in victory over West Brom which gave it 13 points from its five matches.
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