• Premier League

Tevez spurred on by Mancini RvP claim

Carlos Tevez netted an early goal for Manchester City against Watford © PA Photos

Enlarge

Related Links

• News: Barry: City can end poor record at Arsenal
  
• Profile: Carlos Tevez

Carlos Tevez claims Roberto Mancini's comments praising the influence of Robin van Persie at Manchester United have made him more determined to succeed this season.

Mancini recently admitted his disappointment at failing to secure van Persie last summer, insisting the Dutchman could lead United to the Premier League title this year.

City's strikers responded immediately, with Sergio Aguero and Edin Dzeko leading the champions to a 3-0 win over Stoke on New Year's Day and Tevez on the scoresheet during the FA Cup win over Watford on Saturday.

Tevez admits Mancini has encouraged City's attack to inspire a resurgence in the league and the Argentinian believes United's seven-point gap at the top is not insurmountable.

"Those words were a motivation for the strikers," Tevez said. "We know that we need to carry on fighting. It also happened last season that United lost some games and we were back on track, so we will keep doing our job.

"We can do it. There's a long way to go and a lot of games to play. We want to keep winning, to keep fighting for the title and I will try to help us to compete on both fronts, in the Premier League and FA Cup, and try to win both."

City face Arsenal on Sunday, well aware that any slip ups from here could decide the title. But Tevez says his side's exploits at the end of last season prove that the race is not over yet.

"That's the emotion of the Premier League," he said. "It's always a fight to the end, and if United lose one game, we'll be back on track and getting close to them. They will know that."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.