LONDON – Title-chasing Manchester City could not crack resilient Queens Park Rangers and in-form goalkeeper Julio Cesar in a 0-0 draw at the Premier League’s basement club on Tuesday. Report by Reuters
City closed the gap on leaders Manchester United to four points, but a frustrating night for Roberto Mancini’s side in a wet and windy capital handed United the chance to increase their advantage to seven points. United were scheduled to host Southampton last night.
“Julio Cesar saved everything and we made some mistakes — on another day maybe we could have scored four goals,” Mancini, who signed Brazilian Cesar back in 2005 when Inter Milan manager, told City’s website.
United have 56 points from 23 games with City on 52 from 24.
Aston Villa’s season continued to lurch from bad to worse after 2-1 defeat against fellow strugglers Newcastle United dropped the freefalling Midlands club into the relegation zone.
Goals from Papiss Cisse and Yohan Cabaye fired Newcastle into a first-half lead with Christian Benteke’s penalty soon after the restart not enough to save Villa from a fourth successive home league defeat.
Wigan Athletic moved above Villa and out of the drop zone on goal difference after coming from two goals down to draw 2-2 at Stoke City.
In the night’s other match, Sunderland and Capital One Cup finalists Swansea City drew 0-0.
