Manchester Derby 2012: Blues Still Have Work Left to Clinch Domestic Glory

Manchester City owns the town after one epic fixture, but the work is not done and the time for celebration can wait for another day. 

It's time to put away the champagne and call off the parties, because nothing has been clinched after the Blues dispatched of Manchester United 1-0 at Etihad Stadium on Monday night. 

There is certainly reason for City supporters to jump as high as Vincent Kompany did after hitting home the game's only goal. 

But the sense of excitement should be brief, because the chance for disaster still looms, and United is there waiting to spoil what could be a truly special season. 

Two seasons that couldn't be any more different have come to rest at 83 points, the final two games are the last hurdle to ultimate glory, and domestic dominance they have not enjoyed since 1968. 

Manchester City control their fate and need only to take the points from the final two matches to guarantee that the season belongs to a City and not a United. 

They must now face Newcastle United on Sunday and then take on QPR at home on the last day. Only then can Etihad Stadium erupt with the realization that the entire season wasn't a failure, but a success of the highest order. 

Then again, they could fall flat on their faces right before the finish line. 

This Sunday shouldn't be tough; City has dominated Newcastle this season, with a combined drubbing of 9-2 in two games. 

Queens Park Rangers is a bit more tenuous, posing as a formidable opponent, but ultimately falling earlier this season 3-2. 

However, it's not the talent on the pitch that is a worry, it's the hangover after an amazing win, such as the one Monday night. 

There is a very real possibility that City looks past two teams that will pale in comparison to the manic pace of Monday's match. 

It's natural to have an emotional letdown, but that would be disastrous. 

It would serve City well to pretend as if the season was far from over, because in many ways it is. The Blues have the best look at the EPL title, but they only need to seize it. 

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