Premier League: Roberto Mancini to be sacked after Birmingham draw?
Roberto Mancini's future at Manchester City was plunged into further doubt this afternoon as his side laboured to a 0-0 draw against Birmingham City at Eastlands.
After the disappointing, defensive stalemate against rivals Manchester United in mid-week, only a win would be enough to appease the City supporters today.
However, despite the multi-million pound of talent on show, Mancini's men were unable to break the deadlock against Alex McLeish's resolute side.
Meanwhile, a Gareth Bale brace helped Tottenham ease to a 4-2 victory over Blackburn Rovers at White Hart Lane.
Harry Redknapp's side dominated from start to finish and should have scored more than four, but spurned a number of chances, including a first-half penalty.
Roman Pavlyuchenko missed the spot-kick and a guilt-edged opportunity during the opening 45 minutes, but made amends by scoring just before the break. It was Bale who was the star of the show, though. The in-form Wales international grabbed two – one of which was a header – and got himself an assist to cap another fine individual display.
Elsewhere, Wigan got their third win of the campaign against West Brom at the DW Stadium. Victor Moses scored the only goal of the game, 20 minutes before time, to lift Roberto Martinez's team out of the bottom three.
Another northern side who sealed three points – albeit after a huge scare – were Bolton, who beat Wolves 3-2 at the Reebok Stadium.
An own goal from Richard Stearman, plus strikes from Johan Elmander and Stuart Holden put Owen Coyle's men 3-0 ahead, but Wolves sparked in to life and pulled two goals back through Kevin Fletcher and Steven Fletcher.
The West Midlands outfit pushed in search of an unlikely equaliser and came close, but the final whistle was blown and Bolton took all three points.
In total there were three 0-0 draws this afternoon. Newcastle were unable to find a way past Fulham at St James' Park, while a good performance by West Ham goalkeeper kept Blackpool at bay at Upton Park.
On the evidence of the Hammers' lacklustre performance, Avram Grant could pip Mancini by becoming the latest manager to be sacked.
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