Despite going nine points behind the leaders Manchester United, the Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini stated that he is still confident that his club can win the title this season.

Mancini guided the club to the first league title in 44 years last season, but they look likely to retain the title this season. City have remained second best to United in the first half of the season, and the recent 2-2 draw with Liverpool meant that they have fallen nine points behind the archrivals. Even though there are still many remaining games in the league, many have already written off the hopes of City winning the title.

Mancini, though, has said that City still have a chance to win the title if they win all the next 13 matches. He has said that it is not good enough for City to just win 10 or 11 matches because United have a significant advantage in the table. City will be taking on Southampton, who managed to almost take a point off United recently, during the weekend. Mancini has said that due to the Champions League and FA Cup commitments for United, he believes that City still have an advantage when it comes to the energy factor.

"This championship is not over, absolutely not. There is still time for a team to make a mistake. We probably now need to win all of our 13 games, but if not 11 or 12. This is football and it can happen. Last year we recovered eight points in the last six games. It is not finished. We have 13 games left and Manchester United have to play in the league, FA Cup and Champions League. The season is long, we have three months to go and we are confident," said Mancini after the 2-2 draw with Liverpool.