Roberto Mancini rules out serious title challenge this year

ROBERTO Mancini does not expect Manchester City to become Barclays Premier League champions this season.

The Italian has enjoyed a glorious start, winning his first four games in charge, and with City only seven points behind leaders Chelsea, there has been optimistic talk among the Blues faithful about a serious tilt for top spot and their first championship since 1968.

But Mancini does not expect the gap to narrow completely. "To my mind there are three teams who can win the league: Chelsea, United and Arsenal," he said. "Football can be strange and things can change in a couple of months. There are other teams who are only just behind so nothing is totally impossible, but for me, it is between those three."