Mancini starts with a comfortable 2-0 win over Stoke
-
Live on Football Channel, Channel 27 at 11 pm.
-
.
-
no strike?? knn...
-
Man City give Mancini comfortable first win
Roberto Mancini started his tenure as Manchester City boss with a comfortable 2-0 victory against Stoke City at Eastlands.
Mancini was warmly greeted by City's fans and his decision to restore Martin Petrov to the side was vindicated after 28 minutes with a far post finish.
Then in first half stoppage time City doubled their lead as Carlos Tevez turned quickly to make it two.
Up to that point Stoke had exposed the home side's defensive frailties on a couple of occasions but fortunately keeper Shay Given had been equal to the threats.
-
MAN LOVE ... Bell talks tactic with pal Roberto
ROBERTO MANCINI dropped Craig Bellamy to the Manchester City bench but insisted: He is my friend.
Bellamy was furious at the sacking of former boss Mark Hughes and has been linked with a move away from Eastlands.
The fiery Welshman appeared to have paid the price for speaking out with Mancini axing him from the starting XI.
But the Italian reckons the pair are still chummy.
He said: "Bellamy is my friend.
"There is no problem. I spoke with him two days ago. He understood when I told him he wasn't starting.
"We have two games in three days and I need all the players at 100%."
The City faithful erupted when Bellamy was introduced — at the expense of £32.5million man Robinho.
But Mancini shrugged off claims the Brazilian had been below par.
He added "He played well. But after 65 minutes he was tired and I needed to make a change."
