LONDON (Reuters) – A Titus Bramble own goal helped Manchester United edge closer to their 20th league title when they won 1-0 at Sunderland on Saturday to stay 15 points clear of champions Manchester City with only eight Premier League games left to play.

City, whose manager Roberto Mancini conceded the title race was over on Thursday, beat Newcastle United 4-0 at the Etihad Stadium with goals from Carlos Tevez, David Silva, Vincent Kompany and Yaya Toure after they started the match 18 points behind United who kicked off earlier in the day.

LONDON (Reuters) – Manchester United moved 18 points clear at the top of the Premier League, for a few hours at least, when they won 1-0 at Sunderland on Saturday thanks to a first-half own goal from Titus Bramble.

United, closing in on their 20th title and their fifth in the last seven seasons, went ahead after 27 minutes when Robin van Persie ended a jinking run on the left with a shot that took a deflection off Bramble’s thigh leaving Black Cats keeper Simon Mignolet stranded.

LONDON, March 30 (Reuters) – Manchester United moved 18 points clear at the top of the Premier League, for a few hours at least, when they won 1-0 at Sunderland on Saturday thanks to a first-half own goal from Titus Bramble.

United, closing in on their 20th title and their fifth in the last seven seasons, went ahead after 27 minutes when Robin van Persie ended a jinking run on the left with a shot that took a deflection off Bramble’s thigh leaving Black Cats keeper Simon Mignolet stranded.

LONDON (Reuters) – Manchester United moved 18 points clear at the top of the Premier League, for a few hours at least, when they won 1-0 at Sunderland on Saturday thanks to a first-half own goal from Titus Bramble.

United, closing in on their 20th title and their fifth in the last seven seasons, went ahead when Robin van Persie ended a jinking run on the left with a 27th minute shot that took a deflection off Bramble’s thigh leaving Black Cats keeper Simon Mignolet stranded.

LONDON, March 30 (Reuters) – Manchester United moved 18 points clear at the top of the Premier League, for a few hours at least, when they won 1-0 at Sunderland on Saturday thanks to a first-half own goal from Titus Bramble.

United, closing in on their 20th title and their fifth in the last seven seasons, went ahead when Robin van Persie ended a jinking run on the left with a 27th minute shot that took a deflection off Bramble’s thigh leaving Black Cats keeper Simon Mignolet stranded.

LONDON (Reuters) – The English FA has yet to establish whether England fans sang a racist song aimed at brothers Rio and Anton Ferdinand during the World Cup qualifier against San Marino, the organisation said in a statement.

Manchester United defender Rio said he was shocked by the media reports concerning last Friday’s 8-0 World Cup qualifying victory in San Marino. Anton, who has never been capped, is on loan from Queens Park Rangers to Turkish club Bursaspor.

LONDON, March 29 (Reuters) – The English FA has yet to establish whether England fans sang a racist song aimed at brothers Rio and Anton Ferdinand during the World Cup qualifier against San Marino, the organisation said in a statement.

Manchester United defender Rio said he was shocked by the media reports concerning last Friday’s 8-0 World Cup qualifying victory in San Marino. Anton, who has never been capped, is on loan from Queens Park Rangers to Turkish club Bursaspor.

LONDON (Reuters) – There is much more to becoming a top-class footballer these days than having the ability to dribble the ball like World Player of the Year Lionel Messi or score goals like Real Madrid’s dynamic Cristiano Ronaldo.

The best players also need mental toughness based on social skills that include self-awareness, the ability to understand team mates and a positive mental attitude honed by years of pastoral support provided by the clubs.

LONDON, March 28 (Reuters) – There is much more to becoming a top-class footballer these days than having the ability to dribble the ball like World Player of the Year Lionel Messi or score goals like Real Madrid’s dynamic Cristiano Ronaldo.

The best players also need mental toughness based on social skills that include self-awareness, the ability to understand team mates and a positive mental attitude honed by years of pastoral support provided by the clubs.

LONDON (Reuters) – Europe’s top teams took important steps towards next year’s World Cup finals in Brazil with qualifying victories on Tuesday, notably world champions Spain who scored a hugely significant 1-0 win over France in Paris.

Netherlands, Germany and Italy also picked up three points but England, fourth in the world rankings, were held 1-1 in Montenegro after a bright start in which they scored first.