MANCHESTER – Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini hailed unsettled captain Carlos Tevez after his brace helped City move to the top of the Premier League.
In an entertaining encounter at Eastlands, Tevez’s brilliant double, and goals from brothers Kolo and Yaya Toure, ensured Mancini’s men came from behind against Wolves to eventually win 4-3.
That helped them leapfrog neighbours Manchester United at the Premier League summit after their seventh home win of the season. Mick McCarthy’s men started by far the brighter and more determined outfit and deservedly took the lead after 12 minutes as Nenad Milijas bundled in from close range. However, a Kolo Toure finish just before the break was quickly followed up by two fine goals from Tevez — one with his feet, one with his head — as City became the stronger side. A further finish from Yaya gave City some breathing space although a Kevin Doyle penalty and a late header from Ronald Zubar gave Wolves a glimmer of hope but they could not find a fourth to force a draw. “I am very happy to him because he scored two fantastic goals and took his goals very, very well. The first goal he scored was fantastic,” Mancini said of Tevez, who stunned the club last month by demanding a transfer before withdrawing his request.
“I thought it was a difficult game and I told the guys before the game that. “But I thought we were so-so in the first 20 minutes and Wolves pressed us well and we had some problems but we scored goals and had three of four other chances to score. “However, I thought we lost our concentration towards the end because we thought it was finished but it is never finished.” Mancini handed new 27 million pound signing Edin Dzeko his debut following his transfer from Wolfsburg and although he clearly lacked match sharpness, Mancini was still pleased with the Bosnian’s first afternoon out in City colours. “He played well,” he added. “It was his first game in 30 days and his first game with a new team but he played well. “He needs to improve and work hard but I think he showed he is a good player. “We are happy after the result and I am happy for our supporters because they deserve this but the season is very long and we must improve because we cannot do the same mistakes as today in the last 10 minutes.”
