Mancini all praise for team

Roberto Mancini could not stop appreciating his players after Manchester City defeated Tottenham Hotspur 1-0 to finish the season with a confirmed place in the Champions League.

It was a bit of a revenge match as well for City after a Peter Crouch strike for the Spurs had sent the team packing out of contention nearly five years back. This time around, a self-goal for the same side against the same opposition by the same striker reversed the result and the implications in favour of Mancini's side.

"I am very pleased with the result. After many years now, Manchester City can play in the Champions League," said the 46-year-old Italian manager after the match.

Though the win gave City it's highest ever Premier League finish, it also spelled doom for the Spurs who take nine points from as many as ten matches. "When I joined the team, I said that the aim is to be at the top two or three. We deserved to qualify as we were on top throughout the season," added Mancini.