West Ham Utd 1 Manchester City 3:ROBERTO MANCINI made a swift exit from east London on Saturday evening, so he could travel to Ancona and see his ailing father, Aldo.
As he landed in his hometown, the Italian would have known of Carlos Tevez’s transfer request. The fallout will be unavoidable and perhaps defining for the Manchester City manager upon his return to England tomorrow. He must wonder when the internal strife will ever end.
City have rejected Tevez’s request but they face a struggle to keep hold of the 26-year-old Argentinian, who has scored 33 goals in 50 league game since arriving from Manchester United in July 2009.
It is in this context that comments made by Brian Kidd, Mancini’s assistant, following City’s victory here were significant. “There are definitely comparisons between the boss and Sir Alex [Ferguson],” said Kidd, who worked alongside the United manager as he established a golden era at Old Trafford. “He [Mancini] is a winner and has a great will to win. He was disappointed we lost a goal [against West Ham], because he is never satisfied, which is great to see. I have been there with Sir Alex.”
City supporters may squirm at the thought of Mancini being the new Ferguson but if that is the case then now is the time for him to do his best impression of the Scot. After all, total discipline is required of a team who even in the process of gaining the win that put them joint-top of the Premier League were characterised by the angst of Mario Balotelli, who replaced the suspended Tevez up front and spent most of his time throwing his arms in the air and punching goalposts in frustration.
He was substituted by Mancini, the Italian aware his compatriot had been booked for dissent and was in danger of being sent off for a second time in five appearances.
Balotelli reacted by stomping down the tunnel, making it two matches in a row in which a City striker has shown his fury at being replaced. Tevez was the first, in the win against Bolton Wanderers last week, and it is he whom Mancini must deal with first.
It will frustrate the Mancini that Tevez is overshadowing City’s progress on the pitch. They are undefeated in the league since October 3oth, with this victory among their most emphatic. West Ham simply could not cope with their aggression in midfield and fluidity in attack, where Yaya Toure and David Silva excelled.
Toure’s placing behind a lone striker remains a curious one but he showed great attacking instinct here, giving the visitors the lead with a rasping drive before rampaging into the penalty area on 73 minutes and hitting a shot that deflected off Robert Green to make it 2-0. Adam Johnson, who came on for Balotelli, made it 3-0 after a sumptuous pass from Silva.
While the other title contenders face each other over Christmas and the new year, City have a string of fixtures which appear more than winnable. Little wonder the squad see the period as a crucial one. “There are massive games coming and we have a big chance to get close [to the top],” said Kolo Toure. “We want to focus really well at this time.”
Focus is also needed at West Ham. Their only solace here was James Tomkins’ late consolation goal. They remain bottom of the league and short of confidence and quality. Their manager, Avram Grant, believes both can be rectified with investment during the January transfer window and he has even provided the club’s owners, David Gold and David Sullivan, with a sum that could save the club from relegation.
“With £10 million I can do a lot,” said Grant. “We need additional players, dangerous players - there are a lot of decisions to make. If the owners gave me £10 million that would be great.”
Given their resources, City may well also spend next month, but those associated with the club will hope it is not done according to the need to replace their most influential player.
The midfielder was a constant threat playing just off the lone striker, Mario Balotelli.
Guardian Service
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