Sir Alex Ferguson accused Roberto Mancini of "haranguing" the match officials throughout the 1-0 defeat for Manchester United which the Scot admitted has put his team's neighbours in pole position to win the Premier League title.
The managers rowed on the touchline during the second half after a foul by Manchester City's Nigel de Jong on Danny Welbeck, who left on crutches. The fourth official, Mike Jones, helped to separate the pair, who were pulled part by members of their backroom staffs.
"He refereed the game," Ferguson said of Mancini. "He was out on that touchline the whole game haranguing the referee, the fourth official and the linesmen. The minute I come off the bench for a bad tackle by De Jong on Welbeck, he was out again. He can't have it both ways. He's been complaining about referees this season but he won't be complaining tonight that's for sure."
When this was put to Mancini, City's manager said: "Who said this? Him, no? He doesn't talk with the referee or the fourth official? No, never. I didn't speak with him, he came towards me, but I can understand. I said nothing against him, only spoke to the fourth official."
The Italian attempted to play down the incident. "I don't know because I was talking with the fourth official after the foul and he [Ferguson] told me some kind words and I don't know why. I answered him but afterwards it was finished. I can understand because at this moment the tension is high." The pair shook hands after the final whistle.
Mancini conceded for the first time in recent weeks that City have a "chance in our hands" of the title after their win by Vincent Kompany's header to go top on goal difference. Although Ferguson said his side's defeat put City in the "driving seat", Mancini still claims United are favourites due to the clubs' respective final two games. City play Newcastle United, then host Queens Park Rangers; United face Swansea City at home and Sunderland away.
Asked who are favourites, City's manager said: "United. They have the easier games. They play against Swansea and Sunderland. At this moment it will be easier for United. We have two strong games against Newcastle and QPR. One plays for [the] Champions League and one plays [to avoid] relegation.
"It is important we are top now but it is more important to be top on 13 May. This changes nothing. We are top but we need to win the next two games. It is an option for them to win the title – we have 83 points, so us and United can win the title."
City have beaten United home and away in the league this season so do they deserve to be champions? "No, it doesn't change things," Mancini said. "Anything can happen and we still have big respect for United because we know they have a strong team. Football is crazy, but it is important to believe in yourself when you have a bad moment. We were on top for 28 games and I think we deserve another chance. But it is not finished and if we think it is finished, it will be a big mistake. I don't know if, four weeks ago, we believe in this, but we have a big chance. We do have two tough games, though, and they have two easy games."
Of City's hopes of winning the title Ferguson said: "Yes, I think they are in the driving seat now. They only need to win two games of football. It is not over yet. As long as there are games to play it is not over. But they have an eight-goal advantage [goal difference] and that is a big advantage at this stage of the season."
Ferguson chose to field a 4-5-1 formation that created little but Mancini was reluctant to accept the Scot had been negative. "No, I think that every manager can choose his team and that for them it was important to play for a draw. With a draw, they knew the championship was finished. We played better and deserved to win but it was difficult because they had so many behind the ball."
Ferguson admitted United's had been a disappointing display in which they managed few chances. "We never tested their keeper and our crossing was poor. I thought they were more threat because they had more action around the edge of our box. We had some control of the game but not enough."
City have now clawed back an eight-point deficit and Mancini hopes his team can remain calm as they try and secure a first title since 1968. "The players – it is enough they remember six weeks ago when we had three or four points than United and then we lost everything," he said.
Vincent Kompany, captain and scorer, said: "We want it so bad. Everybody in the team wants it so bad. A lot has been said about us but it comes down to football. A lot comes down to the dreams we had as children and winning things.
"Someone texted me today to say that I would score the winning goal and I thought they were a lunatic. I am getting man of the match but for me it's all of the players. The chairman came in to talk to us today and said no matter the result, we are proud of you guys, the progress we've made and we're building for the future."
Mancini also hinted that Carlos Tevez who stated earlier in the day he wants to stay, could have a future at the club. "I'm happy with this," he said. "I told you on Saturday that Carlos needs a pre-season to find top form after six months. He is a top striker and I don't change my opinion of him."
