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Title race 'still open' says Dzeko

Edin Dzeko maintains that Manchester City's title hopes are far from finished © Getty Images

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Manchester City striker Edin Dzeko says the title race is far from over despite his side's 3-3 draw with Sunderland at the weekend, and believes rivals Manchester United could just as easily drop points in the same manner.

City avoided defeat at home to Martin O'Neill's side with two late goals but a draw did little to aid their cause, with United two points ahead at the top of the table and able to stretch that advantage to five if they beat Blackburn on Monday evening.

Dzeko is remaining focused on his side's upcoming trip to Arsenal on Sunday, and believes that if City avoid dropping more points United could well do that in the run-in.

"There are seven games to play, and the way we dropped points, United can drop points as well, so everything is still open," said Dzeko. "We need to go from game to game and try to win every match.

"The next is Arsenal. We will play to win and then we will see. They are fighting for a Champions League place and are a top team, so it won't be easy. It should be a good, open game.

"Maybe we thought Saturday was going to be easy. We had won all our home games so maybe we thought we could count on all three points - but it's not like that, and you have to fight for every point."

Dzeko believes Blackburn, who are fighting for Premier League survival, could provide United with a stern test.

"It is an important game for Blackburn as well so everything is possible," he said. "We lost points on Saturday, and they could drop them at Blackburn or somewhere else."

Discussing the penalty he won against Sunderland that led to City's first equaliser, Dzeko, who became involved in a heated exchange with Phil Bardsley over the matter later in the game, said: "It was a penalty - I still have pain in my leg.

"One guy pushed me away and said, 'Why are you cheating?' So I asked him what he was talking about and said it was a penalty. That's why I was angry.

"He said I was cheating. He can say what he wants, but should never touch me. Mario [Balotelli] told me to stay calm, but I was calm - they can't push me and touch me that way."

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