City over the Blue Moon! Crouch gaffe hands Eastlands a Champions League spot

Manchester City made their dream of Champions League football after the victory over Tottenham guarantee Roberto Mancini is a top-four finish.

A goal against his side by Peter Crouch - including the winner at Eastlands a year ago won fourth place for the Spurs at the expense of their opponents - gave a 1-0 victory in the city and places it among the elite of Europe, they begged for the coup d'Abu Dhabi in 2008.

It cost Mark Hughes his job as manager and has cast a shadow over the reign of 17 months Mancini, but the Italian delivered and exceed expectations by lifting the FA Cup at Wembley on Saturday.

City will now play in Europe's flagship competition for the first time in 43 years, while the result is also their Wembley opponents Stoke qualify for Europa League next season.

Mancini acknowleged the importance of his work, saying: "I think it is very important for my work, but first I'm happy for the fans and people working in this club.

"It's for them, because after many years Manchester City can play in the Champions League.

"When I arrived here I said that the city could become one of the best teams in Europe in two or three years. City have to do but we have because the players want to play in the Champions League and they deserve to play in the Champions League.

"Yes, it's a relief. I am happy because this was our first goal and I must thank the players because they did a fantastic job. "

Mancini has played down a spat sideline briefly with Carlos Tevez before the town's patron was sent on in the 83rd minute to prove his fitness before the Cup final after a hamstring injury.