Manchester City took a huge step toward its first title for 44 years when it won 2-0 at Newcastle United to stay top of the Premier League on goal difference from Manchester United with one match left. Both teams have 86 points after United beat Swansea City 2-0 at Old Trafford but City's goal difference of 63 is eight better than United's and could be the deciding factor in the race. Roberto Mancini's men, who have clawed back the eight-point advantage United held a month ago, played superbly to win at Newcastle, whose own hopes of a Champions League place now hang in the balance. Yaya Toure scored twice in the last 20 minutes after being pushed forward by Mancini whose side has now won its last five league games and enjoyed a great week after beating United 1-0 Monday. Goals from Paul Scholes and Ashley Young brought some joy to a subdued Old Trafford crowd, resigned to the nightmare of the title going across town to the club dubbed as “the noisy neighbors” by manager Alex Ferguson when it emerged as a force following the millions spent by owner Sheikh Mansour of Abu Dhabi a few years ago. Ferguson came on the pitch after the game to thank the crowd for their support. “Hopefully, next week will be the biggest celebration of our lives,” he said without much conviction. He said he was hoping Hughes, who was sacked by City to make way for Mancini in 2009, would do them a favor. “Today's win gives us hope,” he told Sky Sports News. “We've got next week and Queens Park Rangers need a point, so you never know. I just wish Sparky (Hughes) was playing,” he joked. “But the right thing for us to do is to go to Sunderland with the right spirit and attitude and try and win the match.” Mancini told the BBC: “It is not finished. It is important that we get three points next week, we need a big effort — there is one game more. QPR will be tough, they are fighting for relegation. Nothing changes. It is ours to lose. It doesn't depend on other teams anymore.” The Champions League places and final relegation spots will also be decided on the last day. Tottenham Hotspur missed the chance to leapfrog Arsenal and move into third when it was held 1-1 at Aston Villa despite dominating the game. Arsenal stayed third on 67 followed by Spurs on 66, Newcastle 65 and Chelsea on 61. At the other end of the table, QPR improved its chances of avoiding an immediate return to the Championship (second division) when it beat Stoke City 1-0 with Djibril Cisse scoring his fifth goal in seven league appearances to seal his side's fifth successive home win. That result left Bolton Wanderers deep in trouble in 18th place after being held to a 2-2 draw at home by West Bromwich Albion. Fulham beat mid-table rival Sunderland 2-1 at Craven Cottage, while Already relegated Wolves were held to a goalless draw at home to Everton.
