Man City win to qualify for Champions League

Edin Dzeko's first-half strike was enough to give Manchester City a hard-fought 1-0 victory over West Brom.

The Baggies started well and Romelu Lukaku spurned three early chances.

Mancini's man secure their place in UCL next season "2014"

City improved and, shortly after Carlos Tevez hit the bar, Dzeko volleyed home from 12 yards.

Markus Rosenberg hit the bar for West Brom in the second half, while Jack Rodwell went close for City who ensured Champions League qualification with the victory.

It was an accomplished performance from Roberto Mancini's men, who made eight changes with Saturday's FA Cup final in mind yet still created enough chances to have won more comfortably.

Only Joe Hart, who is unlikely to play at Wembley, Samir Nasri and James Milner retained their places in the starting line-up as the Blues moved to within three points of clinching the Premier League runners-up spot ahead of Chelsea.

While Mancini may already know his first-choice side for City's second FA Cup final appearance in three years, Tevez and Rodwell will have given him plenty to ponder.

With the Baggies playing three central defenders, including Craig Dawson who is back from a loan spell at Bolton Wanderers, the recalled pair dropped into the space created in front of the static backline and caused plenty of problems.

All of City's best moves were orchestrated by Argentine striker Tevez, with Rodwell's late runs from deep lacking a finishing touch which would have added a more flattering look to the scoreline.

But it might have been different if Lukaku had converted one of three good, early chances.

The young Belgian striker capitalised on City's defensive reshuffle to twice shoot on goal from the edge of the box before he headed straight into Hart's grateful arms when unmarked eight yards out.

City were also lucky to keep their full quota on the pitch when Aleksandar Kolarov caught Gabriel Tamas with a high boot which briefly forced the Baggies defender off the pitch for treatment to a bloodied head.

Dzeko's goal books Champions League spot for Man City

Manchester: Manchester City guaranteed themselves a spot in next season's Champions League on Tuesday after Edin Dzeko's first-half goal was enough for a 1-0 win over West Bromwich Albion in the Premier League.

Second-place City is now assured of finishing in the top three, which means a direct spot into the group stage of Europe's premier club competition. City rested a number of their top players ahead of Saturday's FA Cup final against Wigan, but Dzeko guided home a volley in the 35th minute for his third goal against West Brom this season.

Both sides spurned numerous other chances with City hitting the woodwork twice through Carlos Tevez and James Milner in the first half and Marcus Rosenberg doing likewise for West Brom after the break. Romelu Lukaku had three good chances inside the opening six minutes but failed to trouble Joe Hart, shooting and heading at the keeper and dragging another effort wide.

Manchester City guaranteed themselves a spot in next season\'s Champions League following their 1-0 win over West Bromwich Albion.

Tevez had City's first attempt after linking well with Samir Nasri and cutting inside but his shot was well off-target. Lukaku teed up Rosenberg at the other end but he too fired the wrong side of the post. City then enjoyed a good spell as Tevez shot narrowly over from the edge of the box and James Milner slammed a good chance from a dangerous Nasri cross.

Jack Rodwell was then inches away from turning Kolarov's corner towards goal and Tevez rattled the crossbar with a powerful drive from the edge of the box.

The opening goal came moments later as Tevez broke away down the right and clipped back a delicate cross for Dzeko. The Bosnian, guilty of a glaring miss at Swansea, watched carefully and guided a well-weighted volley into the net.

Man City target Torres (not that one): Transfer gossip and news from Tuesday's papers

PLUS: Arsenal close in on Stevan Jovetic but Rodgers' move for Ashley Williams is canned

Oliver Torres (left) : The 18-years-old is on Man City's radar

The transfer window may be shut but gossip never sleeps. Here are the latest rumours from the papers and beyond.
Transfer stories and gossip from today's Daily Mirror

Jose Mourinho is lining up a shock move to take Steve Kean with him if he returns to Chelsea.

Manchester United want to use Nani as part of deal to land Juventus playmaker Claudio Marchisio.

Andre Schurrle's potential move to Chelsea moved a step closer after Bayer Leverkusen's general manager Wolfgang Holzhauser revealed his suspicion that the player has already signed a deal with the Blues.

Southampton have joined Liverpool in trying to lure Celtic star Victor Wanyama to the Premier League.

Hull may step in to snap up Polish goalkeeper Grzegorz Sandomierski as Blackburn dither.
Transfer stories and gossip from other papers and websites

Manchester City want to sign Torres - but not Chelsea star Fernando. Atletico Madrid's 18-year-old midfielder Oliver Torres is in their sights, but they face competition from Manchester United, Chelsea and Liverpool for the Spain Under 21 international. (Daily Mail)

West Ham boss Sam Allardyce is plotting a swoop for Aston Villa keeper Brad Guzan this summer. (The Sun)

Brad Guzan : West Ham target

Newly-promoted Hull have been priced out of a move for David Stockdale after Fulham slapped a £4m price tag on the keeper's head. (The Sun)

Arsenal are in advanced negotiations to sign Fiorentina star Stevan Jovetic, and are also eyeing a big name striker with Robert Lewandowski and Edin Dzeko on Arsene Wenger's shortlist. (Goal.com)

Liverpool's owners are refusing to sign off on boss Brendan Rodgers' plan to sign Ashley Williams from Swansea. (Goal.com)

Stoke boss Tony Pulis has dismissed reports that goalkeeper Asmir Begovic has already been sold. Arsenal and Manchester United are understood to be chasing the Potters stopper. (Daily Star)

Grading the Likelihood of 5 Transfer Targets Linked to Manchester City

Could Steven Jovetic be joining City ?

As Manchester City's season draws closer to its conclusion, they also draw closer to the summer transfer window. Given their "down" season, including losing their Premier League crown with four weeks to spare and their European embarrassment, reinforcements will surely be drafted in.

City officials will have been scouring the biggest markets in Europe, and their seemingly wide-open checkbook will make some moves easier. It becomes a matter of whether players want to jump straight for the money or pause to consider their futures.

City were relatively quiet last summer until the deadline, but with a squad sure to be in flux, they should not wait quite so long to move this time. Some of their biggest reported targets follow here, as we examine what kind of chances the club will have of getting their man.