Mancini salutes front-runners City

Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini praised the response of his players after they edged out Arsenal to get back to winning ways.

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David Silva struck the only goal as City won a pulsating clash at the Etihad Stadium to return to the top of the Barclays Premier League. Mancini felt his players had come through a test of nerve after losing their unbeaten record at Chelsea on Monday and being knocked off the summit by Manchester United earlier on Sunday afternoon.

Mancini said: "I think we deserved to win this game. We had half a chance and Silva scored an important goal. We are on the top again. I am delighted for this because after Chelsea it was really important to beat Arsenal and go again to the top of the table, also because Arsenal are a really strong team at this moment."

The result lifted City two points clear at the top again but Mancini accepts they may not stay there permanently throughout the title race.

The Italian said: "We know United are a really strong team and we can't think that we can win the title without fighting against United. We know it is possible we could go into the second position sometimes because when there are squads like us, United and Tottenham it can happen. But it is important we are there in the end."

When it was pointed out City could now be top at Christmas for the first time since 1929, Mancini said: "We want to stay at the top for a long time, not only Christmas."

City had a number of chances before finally going ahead after 53 minutes, Sergio Aguero firing over and then forcing a save from Wojciech Szczesny, who also denied Mario Balotelli.

Silva slid in his sixth goal of the season after Balotelli had another shot saved and Pablo Zabaleta then hit the post. But Arsenal also tested Joe Hart and had a penalty appeal for handball against Micah Richards turned down.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger said: "I haven't seen it, but (Robin) Van Persie is adamant - 100% penalty. It was a game where it could have gone both ways. It was very intense with both teams going for it.

"I felt we were a bit unlucky and their keeper had a good game. We were unlucky as we had to reshuffle at the back in a position where we are already short."

Man City V Arsenal at Etihad Stadium : Match Preview

Roberto Mancini has warned his Manchester City players they must be on high alert to quell the threat of Robin van Persie when they face Arsenal on Sunday. The Gunners striker is in outstanding form having scored 14 goals in his last 11 appearances. That run has propelled the north London club up the Barclays Premier League table and they head to the Etihad Stadium to face the leaders having won seven in eight games.

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City boss Mancini said: "We know that every game we could meet a top striker. "In the last game we met (Didier) Drogba, and on Sunday Van Persie. "We must work harder when you play against a top team with a top striker."

"Van Persie is an incredible player. At this moment he is very good, like Arsenal. At this moment they are playing very well." City are looking to get back to winning ways after surrendering their unbeaten record in a 2-1 loss at Chelsea on Monday. And for all their brilliance this season, they could even be second in the table come kick-off if Manchester United beat QPR earlier in the day. Mancini said: "At the moment, us, United and maybe Tottenham are the three teams that can fight for the title. "But the season is long. Chelsea, Arsenal and, maybe, Liverpool could also try. "

"The season is hard. We have a lot of games to play in the next 40 days."

City swooped on Arsenal to sign one of their stars of last season, Samir Nasri, in August. But the Frenchman has failed to command a regular starting spot in City's impressive side since his #24million switch from the Emirates Stadium. The 24-year-old showed glimpses of his talent as he started four successive games recently but he was back on the bench at Stamford Bridge and Mancini is demanding more from him.

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Mancini said: "In my opinion Nasri is a champion - a top, top player. "I think he can do more but when you change teams you can have a problem. "At this moment his confidence is maybe not very good because he didn't play against Chelsea but if he plays Sunday he has a chance to show us. "I would like Nasri to play better, because he is a really good player."

Mancini feels now would be a good time for Nasri to step up with midfield linchpin Yaya Toure heading off to play in the African Nations Cup in January. The Italian said: "We will lose an important player but I hope Samir can play more games at a higher level.

"He is a top player. Every game a player like that should contribute."

Meanwhile, van Persie has warned Manchester City the Gunners have their sights firmly set on the top of the Barclays Premier League. The north London side have quickly climbed back to within striking distance of the top four following an appalling start to the campaign - and inflicting a second straight defeat on the high-flying Blues would reduce the gap on the summit down to just six points.

Van Persie - who has smashed 33 goals in 2011 - believes Arsenal must always aim for the top. "We should have higher expectations every week, but for now because we have only played 15 games in the league we are not even halfway,"

Van Persie told Arsenal Player. "I don't think it's clever to be excited by fourth, fifth, sixth or whatever. We still have to play many games. "So many things can happen - you see that Spurs lost three points last week, Chelsea beat Manchester City. "It is an open league and anything can happen. "Lots of stuff will happen that is surprising so we have to make sure that we are on the good side and actually surprise people with our results."

Van Persie feels Arsenal have turned their season around through sheer hard work following a humiliating 8-2 defeat at Manchester United on August 28. The Gunners skipper added:

"Everybody had written us off to come back from something like that and weren't speaking positively about us. "To bounce back from a period like that you can say that everybody earns some credit because we had to dig deep - trust me." Arsenal showed their new-found resilience when they won 5-3 at Chelsea - where City lost 2-1 last Monday night, and Van Persie is looking forward to another challenge. "It's going to be a big test but we have played against world-class sides before - nobody really expected us to beat Chelsea 5-3 away, but we did it," he said. "I don't see why we can't surprise again. We're having a good run. Everybody is confident and believes in themselves. The spirit is as high as it can get."

Man City V Arsenal at Etihad Stadium : Match Preview

Mancini wary of van Persie threat.

Roberto Mancini has warned his Manchester City players they must be on high alert to quell the threat of Robin van Persie when they face Arsenal on Sunday. The Gunners striker is in outstanding form having scored 14 goals in his last 11 appearances. That run has propelled the north London club up the Barclays Premier League table and they head to the Etihad Stadium to face the leaders having won seven in eight games.

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City boss Mancini said: "We know that every game we could meet a top striker. "In the last game we met (Didier) Drogba, and on Sunday Van Persie. "We must work harder when you play against a top team with a top striker."

"Van Persie is an incredible player. At this moment he is very good, like Arsenal. At this moment they are playing very well." City are looking to get back to winning ways after surrendering their unbeaten record in a 2-1 loss at Chelsea on Monday. And for all their brilliance this season, they could even be second in the table come kick-off if Manchester United beat QPR earlier in the day. Mancini said: "At the moment, us, United and maybe Tottenham are the three teams that can fight for the title. "But the season is long. Chelsea, Arsenal and, maybe, Liverpool could also try. "

"The season is hard. We have a lot of games to play in the next 40 days."

City swooped on Arsenal to sign one of their stars of last season, Samir Nasri, in August. But the Frenchman has failed to command a regular starting spot in City's impressive side since his #24million switch from the Emirates Stadium. The 24-year-old showed glimpses of his talent as he started four successive games recently but he was back on the bench at Stamford Bridge and Mancini is demanding more from him.

Mancini said: "In my opinion Nasri is a champion - a top, top player. "I think he can do more but when you change teams you can have a problem. "At this moment his confidence is maybe not very good because he didn't play against Chelsea but if he plays Sunday he has a chance to show us. "I would like Nasri to play better, because he is a really good player."

Mancini feels now would be a good time for Nasri to step up with midfield linchpin Yaya Toure heading off to play in the African Nations Cup in January. The Italian said: "We will lose an important player but I hope Samir can play more games at a higher level.

"He is a top player. Every game a player like that should contribute."

Meanwhile, van Persie has warned Manchester City the Gunners have their sights firmly set on the top of the Barclays Premier League. The north London side have quickly climbed back to within striking distance of the top four following an appalling start to the campaign - and inflicting a second straight defeat on the high-flying Blues would reduce the gap on the summit down to just six points.

Van Persie - who has smashed 33 goals in 2011 - believes Arsenal must always aim for the top. "We should have higher expectations every week, but for now because we have only played 15 games in the league we are not even halfway,"

Van Persie told Arsenal Player. "I don't think it's clever to be excited by fourth, fifth, sixth or whatever. We still have to play many games. "So many things can happen - you see that Spurs lost three points last week, Chelsea beat Manchester City. "It is an open league and anything can happen. "Lots of stuff will happen that is surprising so we have to make sure that we are on the good side and actually surprise people with our results."

Van Persie feels Arsenal have turned their season around through sheer hard work following a humiliating 8-2 defeat at Manchester United on August 28. The Gunners skipper added:

"Everybody had written us off to come back from something like that and weren't speaking positively about us. "To bounce back from a period like that you can say that everybody earns some credit because we had to dig deep - trust me." Arsenal showed their new-found resilience when they won 5-3 at Chelsea - where City lost 2-1 last Monday night, and Van Persie is looking forward to another challenge. "It's going to be a big test but we have played against world-class sides before - nobody really expected us to beat Chelsea 5-3 away, but we did it," he said. "I don't see why we can't surprise again. We're having a good run. Everybody is confident and believes in themselves. The spirit is as high as it can get."

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Mancini plays down Balotelli row

Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini has laughed off the latest controversy surrounding fiery striker Mario Balotelli.

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The Italy forward was involved in a training ground bust-up with Micah Richards on Thursday. It was the fourth time Balotelli has been pictured fighting with team-mates, contributing to a chequered history at City, which also includes three red cards and, most recently, attempts to release fireworks from inside his Cheshire home, which required the fire brigade to be called out.

"I ask him 'why always you?'" said Mancini, a reference to the 'why always me' T-shirt Balotelli revealed after scoring in the 6-1 thrashing of Manchester United at Old Trafford in October.

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Manchester Derby: Manchester United v Manchester City - Tickets

2011 Manchester Derby: Man Utd 1-6 Man City

In front of a sold-out stadium of fans from around the workd, Manchester City earned a shocking 6-1 defeat of their arch-rivals Manchester United at Old Trafford on Sunday, October 23rd, 2011.

After a somewhat slow start, Man City took the lead after 22 minutes with a goal from 21-year old Italian Mario Balotelli. The midfielder marked the goal with humor by lifting his outer shirt to reveal another blue shirt saying, “Why Always Me?”

City was ahead 1-0 at half-time.

Mario Balotelli, Manchester City

Star of the match, Balotelli struck twice. Balotelli also won the free-kick which led to a red card for United defender Jonny Evans leaving United with only ten men. Two goals came from late sub Edin Dzeko. And Sergio Aguero and David Silva each added to the tally.

City boss, Roberto Mancini took off Balotelli with 20 minutes remaining and brought in Edin Dzeko.

City upped their tempo and struck three times after the 88th minute cementing their victory that lifted them five points ahead of United at the top of the Premier League table.

Darren Fletcher scored United’s only goal 10 minutes from time.

City delivered United’s first home defeat since April 2010 – and ended United’s run of 19 consecutive home league wins.

Sir Alex Ferguson said later that the stunning defeat to Manchester City was shocking to him.

United played the majority of the second half with ten men after the dismissal of Jonny Evans.

‘It was out worst ever day. It’s the worst result in my history, ever. Even as a player I don’t think I ever lost 6-1’.

‘I thought with the experience we’ve got – Rio Ferdinand, Patrice Evra – they would defend more but we just kept attacking. Sometimes there has to be common sense about it’.

Roberto Mancini, City manager, also commented after the match.

“This is only one game. I still think United are one yard above us, still,” said Mancini. “I think we can only change this after we win the title in the end.

“After, maybe it will be different, but now United are better than us.”

The 161st derby, a Premier League fixture, took place on 23 October 2011 at Old Trafford. City’s victory equalized the biggest win in the derby’s history, which City also won at Old Trafford in 1926.

Manchester United won the 2010-11 Premier League Championship and Manchester City earned the 2010-11 FA Cup Trophy.

Both clubs qualified for the 2011–12 UEFA Champions League.

The Manchester Derby is a historic clash between Manchester City and Manchester United. The local derby centres on the City of Manchester and Greater Manchester. Only four miles separate the clubs with City based in east Manchester at the City of Manchester Stadium and United south west of Manchester at Old Trafford Stadium in Trafford.

To date, Manchester United has recorded the most Derby wins - 67, and Ryan Giggs has played in the most Derbies – 34.

As of 23 October 2011, there have been 161 competitive meetings between the teams. United have won 67 and City 44, the remaining 50 games finishing as draws.

The last meeting, the 161st derby, was a Premier League fixture on 23 October 2011 at Old Trafford. City won 6-1, equalling the biggest win in the derby’s history, which City also won 6-1 at Old Trafford in 1926.

Wayne Rooney Scores Supergoal in Manchester Derby, February 2011

Man United won the previous Manchester Derby with a spectacular goal from Wayne Rooney.

Rooney’s 78th minute winner – a powerful acrobatic effort that flashed past Joe Hart on its way home - was Rooney’s best ever goal in his football career.

“As soon as I hit it, I knew it was in, said Rooney. “It’s definitely the best goal I’ve scored.”

Watch Manchester United and Manchester City play live in the next Manchester Derby in April.

Manchester City v Manchester United tickets – Saturday, 28 April 2012 15:00 City of Manchester Stadium, Manchester, United Kingdom

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Sergio Aguero Injured

Sergio Aguero, Manchester City

Manchester City is tied for first place at the top of the Premiership in part due to the skillful play and goal-scoring of Sergio Aguero.

Agüero sustained an injury playing for Manchester City against Blackburn Rovers.

Agüero will miss Manchester City's upcoming clash with Aston Villa on Saturday.

He did not play for Argentina against Venezuela due to the the adductor strain he picked up during City's 4-0 win over Blackburn Rovers.

Mario Balotelli, who has been ruled out of Italy's two Euro 2012 qualifiers with a back injury and will not play this weekend against Villa.

City will Villa with only one formidable striker, Edin Dzeko, on their squad.

Carlos Tevez's two-week club suspension expires on Thursday, however Roberto Mancini stated that the forward is no longer part of his first-team plans.

City's coach David Platt says City will do well even without Balotelli, Agüero and Tevez.

"We have plenty of ways of playing. Yaya Touré, David Silva and Samir Nasri - three who can all work off the striker," he stated.

"Let's just concentrate on what we have available. We know we have a squad of players which means we can put a team out against anyone and make a good game of it."

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