EPL: As Balotelli exits Man City, champions held by QPR

LONDON (AP) – As Mario Balotelli’s turbulent Manchester City career looked to be drawing to a close, the champions lacked the attacking spark to break through a well-organised Queens Park Rangers side on Tuesday.

A four-game Premier League winning run ended with a 0-0 draw against the bottom team, whose goalkeeper, Julio Cesar, repeatedly thwarted the champions.

The Brazilian denied Gareth Barry and David Silva with fine saves as City failed to close the gap on Manchester United to two points. Instead City is four points behind the leaders, who host Southampton on Wednesday.

"We did everything to win this game but we didn't score," City manager Roberto Mancini said. "When you play like this away and you don't win, it's incredible."