Premier League: Mancini lauds Tevez as City hit back
Manager praises forward’s effort in 2-1 win over Chelsea.
MANCHESTER:
Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini expects Carlos Tevez to go from strength to strength as his side chase the Premier League title. Tevez inspired a 2-1 win over Chelsea on his return from exile as a second-half substitute at Eastlands.
The Argentine forward set up a winning goal for Samir Nasri as his side closed the gap on leaders Manchester United to one point.
A Sergio Aguero penalty soon after Tevez’s introduction had cancelled out Gary Cahill’s opening goal for Chelsea as City also record a 20th consecutive home league win, a record in the Premier League era and only the fourth time in history a top flight club has reached such a landmark.
Tevez’s appearance from the bench had been greeted by boos from sections of City supporters, still angered by the forward’s self-imposed six-month exile following his refusal to warm-up during a Champions League tie in September. But Mancini believed that the player will not take long to win over the dissenting few.
“I think he needs more time,” said Mancini. “It’s not easy for him but it’s important that he is here now.”
Mancini also insisted that any ill-feeling between him and Tevez had been eradicated.
“That was finished a month ago when Carlos came back here.” City, who face United at Eastlands in April, remain firmly in the title race thanks to Tevez and Mancini is confident they can still wrestle the trophy from Old Trafford.
“At times this season we have played fantastic football.
“I don’t think we have played well the last three or four weeks, but after tonight something can change.”
Defiant Redknapp won’t give up on third place
Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp has warned Arsenal to expect a fight to the finish in the race for third place in the Premier League.
Redknapp’s side surrendered their grip on third spot, which earns automatic Champions League group stages, for the first time in almost three months after a 1-1 draw against Stoke.
While Spurs were failing to win for a fourth successive league match, Arsenal continued their revival with a 1-0 victory at Everton which allowed them to leapfrog their north London rivals.
“We can still finish above Arsenal. Arsenal can think it’s all over. It’s not all over,” said Redknapp. “There’s a long way to go yet. There’ll be twists and turns. They aren’t going to win all their games are they?”
Dalglish admits Liverpool must learn from meltdown
Kenny Dalglish admits Liverpool must learn from their stunning meltdown against QPR if they are to avoid their Premier League season drifting to a disappointing end.
Dalglish’s side threw away a two-goal lead in the final 13 minutes to lose 3-2 to a struggling QPR outfit at Loftus Road. “I don’t think anybody saw it coming,” said Dalgish. “We started fantastically. And there is not much more we can say. But we have to find the answers soon if we are to learn.”
Published in The Express Tribune, March 23rd, 2012.
Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini expects Carlos Tevez to go from strength to strength as his side chase the Premier League title. Tevez inspired a 2-1 win over Chelsea on his return from exile as a second-half substitute at Eastlands.
The Argentine forward set up a winning goal for Samir Nasri as his side closed the gap on leaders Manchester United to one point.
A Sergio Aguero penalty soon after Tevez’s introduction had cancelled out Gary Cahill’s opening goal for Chelsea as City also record a 20th consecutive home league win, a record in the Premier League era and only the fourth time in history a top flight club has reached such a landmark.
Tevez’s appearance from the bench had been greeted by boos from sections of City supporters, still angered by the forward’s self-imposed six-month exile following his refusal to warm-up during a Champions League tie in September. But Mancini believed that the player will not take long to win over the dissenting few.
“I think he needs more time,” said Mancini. “It’s not easy for him but it’s important that he is here now.”
Mancini also insisted that any ill-feeling between him and Tevez had been eradicated.
“That was finished a month ago when Carlos came back here.” City, who face United at Eastlands in April, remain firmly in the title race thanks to Tevez and Mancini is confident they can still wrestle the trophy from Old Trafford.
“At times this season we have played fantastic football.
“I don’t think we have played well the last three or four weeks, but after tonight something can change.”
Defiant Redknapp won’t give up on third place
Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp has warned Arsenal to expect a fight to the finish in the race for third place in the Premier League.
Redknapp’s side surrendered their grip on third spot, which earns automatic Champions League group stages, for the first time in almost three months after a 1-1 draw against Stoke.
While Spurs were failing to win for a fourth successive league match, Arsenal continued their revival with a 1-0 victory at Everton which allowed them to leapfrog their north London rivals.
“We can still finish above Arsenal. Arsenal can think it’s all over. It’s not all over,” said Redknapp. “There’s a long way to go yet. There’ll be twists and turns. They aren’t going to win all their games are they?”
Dalglish admits Liverpool must learn from meltdown
Kenny Dalglish admits Liverpool must learn from their stunning meltdown against QPR if they are to avoid their Premier League season drifting to a disappointing end.
Dalglish’s side threw away a two-goal lead in the final 13 minutes to lose 3-2 to a struggling QPR outfit at Loftus Road. “I don’t think anybody saw it coming,” said Dalgish. “We started fantastically. And there is not much more we can say. But we have to find the answers soon if we are to learn.”
Published in The Express Tribune, March 23rd, 2012.