Roberto Mancini gives his verdict after Manchester City ease past Chelsea

Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini Picture: Martin Rickett/PA Wire.

By Paul Lagan, at the Etihad Stadium Sunday, February 24, 2013
4:38 PM

Roberto Mancini was delighted that his side overcame stubborn Chelsea.

After thanking the Pope for all his hard work in what was his last Sunday as Pontiff, Mancini got back to footballing matters.

“It was a deserved win,” he said “And we could have scored more goals.

Before the goals from Yaya Tore and Carlos Tevez sunk the Londoners, Frank Lampard had his penalty spot kick saved by Joe Hart.

Mancini was not too bothered if the goal had gone in or not, he was confident his side would win.

“It was an important penalty save,” he admitted.

“But If they scored, we had another 40 minutes to get more goals - Hart could have been sent off,” he joked.

he added about his substitute Tevez, “We we playing well with Sergio up front, but with Carlos we changed things on the pitch and made it difficult for Chelsea.”

Chelsea remain in third place in the league and City second, but Mancini said: “We do not look at the table, all we do is try to continue to work hard and improve.

“Football is only finished when it’s finished, in the last minute of the last game.

“We worked well this week and it was important to start well. Chelsea have fantastic players, it was difficult to play against them.”

Mancini may appear aloof, but is still part of the managers’ union.

Asked if he had any sympathy for a manager who is only a interim, he said: “I like Benitez, he is a good man and a good manager but I am not the chairman of Chelsea.”