Mancini sets 90-point target
Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini says his team need 90 points in order to win the Premier League.
Mancini’s side beat Stoke 3-0 to remain two points clear of Manchester United, and will be top at Christmas for the first time since 1929.
He told BBC Sport: “We are happy [to be top] but as I said, it’s important to stay top at the end of the season.
“If we want to win the championship we should get 90 points because Manchester United keep winning.”
United won the Premier League with 80 points last season and their 5-0 win at Fulham kept them within touching distance of the league leaders.
- 2010-11 Man Utd 80 pts
- 2009-10 Chelsea 86 pts
- 2008-09 Man Utd 90 pts
- 2007-08 Man Utd 87 pts
- 2006-07 Man Utd 89 pts
- 2005-06 Chelsea 91 pts
- 2004-05 Chelsea 95 pts
- 2003-04 Arsenal 90 pts
The last time the top flight was won with 90 points was in the 2008-09 season, when United finished four clear of Liverpool.
Against Stoke, two goals from Sergio Aguero and a fine Adam Johnson strike ensured that Manchester City remained unbeaten at home in 2011.
Mancini’s side will face stern tests in coming weeks and months, beginning in January with a trip to Sunderland and a game at home to Liverpool.
And the Italian boss will also have to deal with the loss of key players to the Africa Cup of Nations.
“January is an important month,” Mancini added. “We will have a lot of games and we lose two important players like Yaya Toure and Kolo Toure and I hope we are lucky and don’t get any injuries.”
The only concern for Manchester City against Stoke was when Micah Richards limped off in the second half.
Later, the right-back said on Twitter: “Not happy with Dean Whitehead’s challenge on me! Stood [sic] caught me right in the calf!”