Sir Alex Ferguson refused to throw in the towel in the title race after Manchester United lost 1-0 at Manchester City on Monday night.
Vincent Kompany's header on the stroke of half-time sent City back to the top of the Barclays Premier League table on goal difference with two games to go.
Yet Ferguson is clinging on to the hope City drop points against either Newcastle or QPR in the last two games of the campaign.
He said: "It's not over yet, but they've got an eight-goal advantage. It's a big advantage.
"I think they're in the driver's seat now. They've got to win two games of football.
The United boss felt his side were poor on the night and conceded the title was now City's to throw away.
"It was feisty, competitive, not a lot of goal chances," the Scot said. "We're disappointed we never tested their goalkeeper.
"They had more threat as they had more action around the edge of our box."
Ferguson lamented the manner of City's goal, which came from a corner right on the stroke of half-time.
"If you lose a goal from a set-piece at this level, you only have yourself to blame for that," he said.
"It was a bad time to lose a goal."
TITLE RUN-IN
Manchester City - Pld 36 Pts 83 GD +61
May 6 - Newcastle A (1600 BST)
May 13 - QPR H (1500)
Manchester United - Pld 36 Pts 83 GD +53
May 6 - Swansea H (1330)
May 13 - Sunderland A (1500)
