Micah Richards makes point to Manchester City and England in central in victory over Sunderland

The petulance of Mario Balotelli, storming directly down the tunnel to the Manchester City dressing room after being substituted in the second half, again dominated the soap opera headlines that attend the Premier League champions’ every move but, at the other end of the field, there was a far more significant development for both club and country.

Micah Richards, playing for City for the first time in five months in the centre-half position many feel is his best, turned in the sort of performance that suggested he is an obvious replacement for shamed and recently-retired England defender John Terry.

Persistent question marks remain over Richards’ ability at the very highest level – as the fact he possesses just 13 caps from a near six-year international career testifies – but, at the age of barely 24, he is surely worthy of strong consideration, even allowing for his strange decision to remove his name from the stand-by list for last summer’s European Championship squad.

“I think Micah is a fantastic player and he deserves to be in the national team,” said team mate Pablo Zabaleta. “Micah came back to the team, he was very solid at the back. He is young, he is strong and he can give to England what he gives to Manchester City. He can play either centre back or right back.

“Terry’s not in the international team any more so maybe that is a good chance for him to get into the England team again.”

Richards’ average of a couple of caps per year is all the more mysterious given his versatility and, perhaps, the athletic youngster has been a victim of his own success, considered good at both defensive positions but great at neither by a succession of England managers.

“He can play both positions, centre-back and right-back,” continued Zabaleta. “He’s played before in this position and looking at this season, we probably we have Macion, me and Micah (at right-back) so it’s good too see Micah as a centre-back.

“He’s a very good player, he can play in both positions so for the team its good when you’ve got players who can play in different positions – Micah had a fantastic game today.”

Richards himself declines to discuss his standing with Hodgson and the national squad although, having formed an impenetrable pairing with Joleon Lescott in front of England goalkeeper Joe Hart on Saturday, it is tempting to imagine he can envisage a return to the international fold.

“I was excited to be back out there after being out for so long, me and Joleon haven’t played together too many times,” said Richards. “A lot of people don’t realise how good he is. He’s played for England and he’s a top class centre back. He showed that last season.

“People always say the foreigners make City’s team but we have a good six or seven English lads in the squad. When we come in and get our chance we give 100% and they did that today.”

Richards’ return coincided with City’s first clean sheet of the season – although perhaps it was no coincidence – although the England man was arguably not even the best defender on display. Full-back Aleksandar Kolarov was a force in defence and scored a magnificent fourth-minute direct free-kick before laying on a second goal for Sergio Aguero, whose 55th minute introduction had so infuriated Balotelli.

The Italian forward is clearly becoming an irritant to manager Roberto Mancini and coach David Platt who refused to answer questions properly when quizzed over Balotelli’s show of disrespect as he left the field.

As City proved with last season’s Carlos Tevez debacle, of course, such distractions matter little to the club, given their colossal financial resources and a squad whose depth is unmatched in the Premier League and James Milner’s late direct free-kick completed the rout and their 33rd unbeaten home league game.

Far more worrying have been City’s defensive performances to date and, for this reason, their display in overwhelming a poor Sunderland team that had somehow remained unbeaten until this point, could prove to be significant.

“You always know that when you play against Manchester City you are going to be busy,” said goalkeeper Simon Mignolet, one of the few Black Cats to emerge with credit. “In games like this you want to keep it goalless as long as you can, but by conceding early it meant a tough game got even tougher. After going ahead early City pressed us really high up the pitch and created lots of chances.”

Many more teams look poised to experience the same problem in the weeks to come.

Roberto Mancini's son Andrea joins Spanish third division side Valladolid B

A lot to live up to: Roberto Mancini's son Andrea was released bu Manchester City and now joins Spanish third division side Valladolid 

The 19 year-old was released by the English champions at the end of last season after loan spells at Oldham and Italian side Fano, and has signed a one-year deal with the reserve side of the newly-promoted Primera Division club.

That does mean, though, that Mancini is eligible to play in La Liga should he be called upon, and he is desperate to get his chance to play in the Spanish top flight.

He said: ''It is something very important for me. Valladolid is a good team in the Spanish league and I am going to have to work hard.

''I have to win my chance in the youth team to play in the Primera with Valladolid, but if I work hard I don't see any reason why it can't happen.

''My great-grandmother, who died when I was a child, always told me she was from Valladolid, although I personally don't know the city.

Mancini fighting to keep duo

Man City manager does not want to lose Tevez or Dzeko

Edin Dzeko: Linked with a move away from Man City but Roberto Mancini hopes he will stay

Sky Bet

• Roberto Mancini has admitted it will not be easy to keep hold of Carlos Tevez and Edin Dzeko, but he hopes the duo will stay at Manchester City.

Tevez's future has been the subject of intense speculation since last summer and he has again been linked with a move away from the Etihad Stadium during the transfer window, although last week he stated that he is feeling settled at City.

Fellow striker Dzeko has also reportedly attracted the attention of clubs such as Juventus and Bayern Munich, but Mancini has made it clear that he has no intention of letting either player leave.

Mancini's focus is on strengthening his squad rather than weakening it, as he accepts that City need to improve to compete with Europe's finest.

"Both Dzeko and Tevez will stay at City. We are a great team and we try to keep all our great players," said the Italian.

"It won't be easy, but they will stay here.

"We still lack a couple of players to reach (the level of) Real Madrid and Barcelona. Our mentality has to grow season by season.
"

Blues pre-season: Manchester City 0 Al Hilal 1

Manchester City's pre-season campaign began with a surprise defeat to Al Hilal in Austria on Friday night. It was their first game since dramatically clinching the Premier League title on the final day of the season. And despite starting with a team which included a number of first-team regulars, Alabid Nawaf Shaker’s goal midway through the second half was enough to hand the Saudi side victory. Roberto Mancini named Pablo Zabaleta, Vincent Kompany, Yaya Toure and Carlos Tevez in his team for City’s first pre-season friendly, exactly two months after they had started against QPR at the Etihad Stadium on the final day of the season. Aleksandar Kolarov and Adam Johnson – who had been suffering from a virus – were also named in the starting XI but City never got into any kind of rhythm in a first-half that had all the intensity and tempo you would expect of a pre-season friendly. Mancini, who used 24 players in total during the game, made 10 substitutions at the break introducing Dedryck Boyata, Kolo Toure and Stefan Savic, as well as youngsters Harry Bunn, Jeremy Helan and Croatian trialist Mario Jelavic. But while they were looking to make an impression on Mancini, it was Shaker who made his mark on the scoreline, jinking past Boyata and shooting past substitute goalkeeper Eirik Johansen in the 68th minute. City play Dynamo Dresden in Innsbruck on Tuesday before facing Besiktas on Friday.

Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini signs new five-year contract to scotch speculation over Russia job

Roberto Mancini has agreed a new five-year contract as manager of Manchester City as the club looks to progress into a European force.

Job well done: Roberto Mancini has signed a new five-year contract with Manchester City 

Although there were claims Mancini was wanted by the Russian Football Federation to take charge of their national side, the Italian was always expected to commit long-term to the City project having secured their first league title in 44 years in May.

A contract of around £35 million was rumoured to be on offer if he took the Russia job and while the terms of his new deal at City have not been released, he has been rewarded with an improved financial package.

“I am delighted to be able to give all of my efforts to Manchester City

for a further five years,” said Mancini. “The opportunity which exists to build on our recent success is enormous.

"Manchester City is a fantastic football club, from the owner, chairman, board and the executive team, through to the players, staff and fans. I am very much looking forward to the challenges and excitement ahead."

The former Inter Milan manager took over at City from Mark Hughes in December 2009 and ended a 35-year trophy drought in his first full season by winning the FA Cup and also secured Champions League football with a third-place finish in the Premier League.

The club’s interim chief executive officer, John MacBeath, added: “Roberto’s managerial credentials have been well proven in Europe for many years and in leading a team which has won the FA Cup and an unforgettable Premier League title in successive seasons, his ability to manage in the English domestic game is also undisputed.

"This new agreement allows Roberto to focus on the challenge of guiding a team which is capable not only of defending the Premier League title, but one which can compete for European honours."

Manchester City left-back Wayne Bridge set to complete surprise move to Brighton today

Wayne Bridge is poised to complete his surprise move from Manchester City to Brighton later today.

Heading south: Wayne Bridge will swap Premier League champions Manchester City's bench for a first team spot with Championship 

The former England and Chelsea defender has agreed to join Gus Poyet's Championship team in a loan deal that will run until the end of the season.

Bridge, 31, was a £10 million signing by Mark Hughes in January 2009 and once regarded as a genuine threat to Ashley Cole as England's first choice left-back.

But he fell out of favour at Manchester City spectacularly when Roberto Mancini replaced Hughes and has been loaned out to West Ham and Sunderland in the last two seasons.

Now Poyet, the Brighton manager, is set to complete an audacious swoop by taking Bridge to the Amex Stadium.

City are believed to have agreed paying a substantial amount of his £100,000 a week wages to push the deal through.

The qualities of England's No1 goalkeeper Joe Hart

AGILITY

The most fundamental quality of any goalkeeper is their athleticism and shot-stopping ability. When the manager of your biggest rivals, Sir Alex Ferguson, starts waxing lyrical about you, unprompted, during interviews with DJ Spoony you know you’ve got something about you.

“If you look at the England goalkeeper situation for the last 20 years, I would think he’s easily the best,” said Ferguson. “I could have bought Joe Hart for £100,000. We all make mistakes.”

CONCENTRATION LEVELS

Goalkeeping for a successful team is a more specialist occupation, demanding high concentration levels during prolonged periods of inactivity. Often, keepers at struggling clubs shine most because they have so much to do so get more chance to look better than they are.

Hart was exceptional last season because he made crucial saves that proved the difference in City winning the title.

“This season is why they’re talking about Joe as the world’s best,” his team mate Gareth Barry said after a crucial last-minute save in a 1-0 win at Aston Villa. “Every game he’s making one or two great saves; he’s going to be England’s No1 for a long time.”

PRESENCE

There are those goalkeepers whose mere presence can intimidate strikers into fluffing their lines in front of goal. Manchester United Peter Schmeichel’s stature was such he seemed to cover the entire goal area when faced with a one-on-one situation. The similarities with Hart have been noted by his Old Trafford rivals. The City admits relying on his reflexes, relishing personal duels with attacks.

“Hart makes good reaction saves and great blocks,” said former United keeper Edwin van der Saar. “That’s a little bit the Peter Schmeichel way and that’s one of his strong points.”

MATURITY

Despite only being 25, Hart is mature enough to have warranted demands for him to be named England captain. He has displayed his leadership qualities on several occasions during Manchester City’s title surge.

While his manager wrote off City’s title chances at one stage, Hart issued the rallying cries. “There is no point in us turning up for games if the title race is over,” he said when City trailed by eight points. “We’ve still got to believe, we’ve still got to fight for every single point available.”

Roberto Mancini says Manchester City have played best football

Manager Roberto Mancini says he trusts his Manchester City side to finish the job and be crowned champions on Sunday.

But even if they fail, the Italian insists his side have played the best football in the league this season.

Mancini's men are ahead of Manchester United on goal difference and will win the Premier League title by equalling their neighbours' result.

Continue reading the main story

“If we win, it's better to stay far from Mario (Balotelli) because it'll be very dangerous!”

Roberto Mancini

"I trust them 100 per cent," said the Blues boss. "They know they have everything in their hands."

He added: "They've worked very hard and fought for every game, for one year, and in this championship that is very hard.

"I think in the end the team that wins deserves to win, always.

"We have played the better football, 100%, even if we don't win, we played the better football."

City lead heading into the final day despite slipping eight points behind neighbours United following defeat at Arsenal on 8 April.

Mancini's side meet QPR at the Etihad while United must travel to Sunderland.

"I think that, at that moment, it was good for us because it took off all the pressure," said Mancini, who believes City would be worthy winners having led for most of the season and scored the most goals.

"Like all teams, it is impossible to play well every game for one year. We had one month where we had a problem - we didn't play well, we conceded easy goals, we didn't score. This is normal, I think.

"But we always believed, also when we were eight points behind.

"Against United and Newcastle we played really well, as a strong team mentally, and I think we should do the same on Sunday."

Ferguson and QPR boss Mark Hughes have described Mancini's tactics as negative, with Ferguson claiming City played with an Italian mentality by switching to a five-man midfield during their crucial derby victory on 30 April
."I agree with him," joked Mancini, who later said the same about Hughes. "I'm Italian, I can't change my mentality, and he's Scottish."

But he added of Ferguson: "I think he's the best manager in the world."

And should Mancini beat the legendary United boss to the title, he will be staying well clear of controversial striker Mario Balotelli.

"If we win, it's better to stay far from Mario because it'll be very dangerous!" he quipped.

Man City boss Roberto Mancini reacts to Sir Alex Ferguson jibe

Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini hit back at Sir Alex Ferguson after the Scot accused him of trying to influence officials during Manchester United's 1-0 derby defeat at Etihad Stadium.

The pair clashed and were kept apart by City coach David Platt and fourth official Mike Jones late on in the win that put Mancini's side back on top of the Premier League on goal difference with two games left.

Title run-inSunde

Ferguson reacted angrily to City substitute Nigel de Jong's challenge on Danny Welbeck - but found an equally robust response from Mancini, who met his counterpart head on and gestured in his direction.

United boss Ferguson said: "He [Mancini] refereed the game right the way through. He was haranguing the officials. He can't complain about referees any more."

Mancini cool? 

Mancini delivered a heavily sarcastic response as he said: "And him? He doesn't talk with the referees or fourth officials - never. I spoke with the fourth official and then Ferguson told me some kind words. I don't know why.

"I answered him but I can understand because at this moment the passion was high."

City captain Vincent Kompany was delighted to score the winner but insisted that the title has not been decided yet.

The Belgium international defender said: "We are absolutely buzzing. We've been waiting for this moment. But it is far from over.

"To give our fans two wins over Manchester United is great but now we need to finish it off.

"I remember someone texting me and saying I would score the winning goal and I thought he was a lunatic."

Manchester City tell Roberto Mancini he must change before they offer him a new deal

Manchester City are expected to offer Roberto Mancini a new contract at the end of the season but they are seeking assurances from him that he has taken on some of the club’s concern about his management style.

Left field: Manchester City hierarchy have questioned manager Roberto Mancini's management style 

The Italian’s current deal has a year to run and the City hierarchy are expected to review the situation at their quarterly board meeting at the end of the campaign.

The club are happy that the first team have shown clear signs of progress and want to give him a new deal irrespective of whether they win the title but they feel there is a need for the manager to refine his abrasive man management approach, to be more discreet about any issues he has with the club and to work with the club on ensuring transfer policy falls into line with the demands of Financial Fair Play.

There has been speculation that City would look to a new manager such as Jose Mourinho this summer but there is no appetite in the hierarchy to create an unstable situation at the club at a time when progress is clearly being made.

Mancini, whose side are two points behind Manchester United in the title race with four games to go, has given every indication that he is prepared to sign a new deal.

“I am confident that I will continue to do this job next year,” he said. “I don’t think we have any problems because I think we have done a good job.”

Manchester City fans start campaign for Roberto Mancini

Manchester City supporters have started a campaign to show their support for manager Roberto Mancini.

The fans have set up a "Respect Roberto Mancini" petition and organised a campaign on Twitter urging the club to retain him as manager even if City fail to win the Premier League title.

Mancini has seen his side's challenge falter and they are now five points behind leaders Manchester United.

There has been speculation linking Real Madrid boss Jose Mourinho with his job. Mchester City's 6-1 victory over arch-rivals Manchester United in October put them five points clear at the top of the league and they remained there until March, when a run of just one win in five matches saw their title hopes fade.

Mancini's City record

• Games played: 137
• Won: 81
• Lost: 30
• Drawn: 26

Mancini, who has one year remaining on his contract, has endured a difficult year after high-profile arguments with strikers Carlos Tevez and Mario Balotelli.

However, despite increasing speculation about Mancini's future, a group of Manchester City fans believe the Italian, who ended the club's 35-year wait for a trophy with last year's FA Cup triumph, is still the right man for the job.

"I'd be devastated if he left and a lot of City fans would be," said mcfcforum.com part-owner Andy Savage, whose website has helped with the campaign.

"At the moment he's not committing his future, so the campaign is to show our support. We'd love him to stay and the majority of fans want him to stay. He knows the fabric of the club and gets on really well with the fans."

The petition to keep the 47-year-old former Inter Milan boss has so far had more than 1,000 signatures.

"The campaign is to show support for what he's done as he has not been getting enough respect. We'd like him to at least see out the remainder of his contract, but ideally get a new one," added Savage.

However, Savage insists the fans' campaign is about showing their support, rather than criticising owner Sheikh Mansour, who brought in Mancini after sacking Mark Hughes in December 2009.

"It is not about criticising the owners or putting pressure on them," he said.

"Over the past few months, journalists have been having a go at Mancini and put pressure on him by saying his job is not safe. But the last thing we need is to be chopping and changing our manager.

"I can't see the owners doing it to be honest. They've brought him in, he's their man and I genuinely feel they've got a great relationship."

Man City's Mario Balotelli avoids ban for Alex Song tackle

Manchester City's Mario Balotelli has escaped the prospect of an additional six-game ban for his tackle on Alex Song in the 1-0 defeat at Arsenal.

Referee Martin Atkinson took no action in the match, but reported the incident had been seen, ruling out retrospective Football Association action.

Balotelli was sent off after picking up yellow cards for two unrelated fouls.

He could have faced extra three-game bans for violent conduct and what would have been a fourth dismissal of season.

Balotelli's Manchester City reds

• 7 November 2010: Sent off in his fourth game for the club, after scoring both goals in the 2-0 win over West Brom
• 17 March 2011: Sent off after 36 minutes of the 1-0 win over Dynamo Kiev
• 27 November 2011: Sent off in the 1-1 draw with Liverpool after picking up two yellow cards in 18 minutes
• 25 January 2012: Banned for four games after being charged with violent conduct for a stamp on Spurs midfielder Scott Parker
• 8 April: Receives the fourth red card of his City career against Arsenal

In addition to his dismissal at Emirates Stadium, Balotelli has previously been sent off in the 1-1 draw with Liverpool in November and was retrospectively charged with violent conduct after he appeared to stamp on Scott Parker in the win over Tottenham in January.

The FA insists that, while it could reevaluate the incident involving Parker, it would not take a second look at Balotelli's challenge on Saturday.

"Retrospective action was introduced for off-the-ball incidents where there was no contest for possession and could not be deemed to be re-refereeing an incident," it said.

"In agreement with Fifa, this is how 'not seen' incidents are dealt with retrospectively in England. It is a policy that is agreed with all football stakeholders."

The striker's existing three-game ban begins against West Brom on Wednesday
.

Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini pledges to win the Premier League for crying fan John Millington

Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini has pledged to win the Premier League title for the fan caught on camera crying last weekend.

Crying game: Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini says his side cannot afford to feel deflated after surrendering their lead in the Premier League

John Millington was pictured sobbing after City's 1-0 defeat to Swansea City at the Liberty Stadium and that sight has made Mancini determined to claim the club's first league title since 1968.

He said: "We want to win the title, to do history for the club.

"We are very disappointed for our supporters after Swansea and I saw on the TV one supporter was crying.

"We want to win for this guy, for all the other supporters. We want to change this."

Unlike Millington, Mancini has told his players they "can't cry" after surrendering the initiative in the Premier League title race.

City, who have led the table for most of the season, now trail Manchester United by a point with 10 games remaining after Sunday's defeat in Wales.

That loss came at the end of a bad week in which City were also beaten by the same scoreline in the first leg of their Europa League last-16 tie against Sporting Lisbon in Portugal.

Mancini wants his team to refocus quickly knowing that, with a game against United still to come, the title is still within their grasp.

The Italian said: "I think that in Portugal and against Swansea we did not play a very good game, we did not play like Manchester City usually play.

"We didn't deserve to lose both games but I think we need to play better.

"We can't cry, now is the time to be strong and keep going. We have a top team and we have time to recover.

"We can't cry because we are one point behind Manchester United.

"We have 10 games, our fortune is in our hands and we can change it if we want to.

"Like we lost points against Swansea, United can lose points against Wolverhampton. Every game will be difficult for both teams."

"I prefer to stay at the top and now we are behind, but it is important to be there at the end of the season. It doesn't change it for us.

"We are disappointed for the defeat against Swansea but now our focus should be about Sporting Lisbon."

City host the second leg against the Portuguese side on Thursday.

Mancini has so far given no indication, in words or selection, that he regards the Europa League as a distraction.

It has been suggested since the weekend he may now have to tailor his teams to prioritise the Premier League bid, but he insists he is still going all out for both trophies.

Mancini said: "We can't think negative at this moment.

"We are positive and we think we will win the Premier League and the Europa League.

"If we thought differently, it would be a mistake. It would be everything to win both competitions.

"We always play with the best team. Even when we change four or five players it is because we have played one game and then another after three days.

"Sometimes these players need to rest - it is impossible the same team can play every game. We have a team of 20 players.

"Tomorrow we want to win and we need to do our best if we want to beat Sporting."

City are hampered by defensive injuries for tomorrow.

Captain Vincent Kompany is unlikely to return from his calf problem before the trip to Stoke on March 24 and right-back Pablo Zabaleta is still out with a hamstring injury.

Joleon Lescott has a chance of making the bench as he recovers from a groin injury, but midfielder Gareth Barry has suffered further discomfort from a back problem and could be rested.

Barry appeared to show dissent when controversially substituted in the first half on Sunday, but Mancini says he has a fitness issue dating back to last month.

Mancini said: "Gareth has had a problem with his back for 20 days. He can't run well.

"When he went to the national team he had a problem.

"On Sunday he didn't play well but I think that is because he had a problem."

Another player who will not feature tomorrow, because he is not eligible, is striker Carlos Tevez.

But the Argentinian, who has been training for the past month after ending his dispute with the club, could be back in contention for next Wednesday's clash with Chelsea.

Mancini said: "We will see in the next week. It depends on Carlo.

"If Carlo is okay then probably, but it depends on a lot of things."

Manchester City's Mario Balotelli claims he has grown up at last

Manchester City striker Mario Balotelli admits he made a “mistake” visiting a Liverpool strip club two days before last weekend’s win over Bolton, but still claims he has become a more mature personality during the course of this season.

Changed character: Mario Balotelli says he has 'grown up and certain things I've understood' since joining City

The indiscretions remain as frequent as the enigmatic brilliance where Balotelli is concerned as Manchester City pursue the Premier League title. He faces a £250,000 fine, equivalent to two weeks’ wages, for his latest misjudgement, but argued that his on-field performances prove he has grown up since his move to Manchester.

“This year I have scored 14 goals and the intensity and the effort that I am giving this year, also in training, cannot be compared to that of last year,” he said. “I have grown up and certain things I’ve understood.”

On the strip club visit, he added: “I didn’t do anything wrong at the club. But I understand that if she [girlfriend Raffaella Fico] had gone with her friends to a strip club, I would have been very angry. If you love a woman, you can avoid causing that pain. That was my first mistake. The second was to go two days before a game.”

Mancini tends to react to his striker’s behaviour with a paternal hand rather than an iron fist, and even suggested marriage could be the solution to Balotelli’s disciplinary problems.

The 21-year-old seems to be open to the suggestion, although his long-term girlfriend is not so sure.

“For me it’s not too soon,” Balotelli said. “When you find the right person, the timing could be right. Raffaella is the most beautiful thing that has happened to me. She gives me calmness.

“She is very understanding when I do something wrong. We have spoken about marriage a few times but that doesn’t mean that we will do it tomorrow.

“Once her work commitments allow her, she comes to Manchester. She is happy with me and I will follow her and play wherever.”

It seems that while Balotelli is performing on the pitch, his perpetual flaws endear him to his manager, team-mates and supporters rather than antagonise them.

That is not the case at international level, however, where Italian coach Cesare Prandelli has cast doubts on his participation in Euro 2012 because he “can’t trust him not to get sent off”.

The striker says he was upset at being left out of the Italy squad who lost to the United States last week. He is adamant the recent four-match ban he received for kicking Tottenham’s Scott Parker, and consequent omission from the Italy squad, was undeserved.

“I was hurt,” Balotelli said. “I always say it in the changing room that the most fascinating jersey for me is that of the national team because of what I feel when I represent my country. I often think of the European Championship.

“I am saddened to have missed the friendly in Genoa [against the United States]. There is an ethical code and I accept it, even though I don’t think I deserved it.”

Balotelli insists he did not intentionally stamp on Parker. He said: “Perhaps when you slow down the image, it might appear so but I didn’t touch him. I didn’t do anything wrong so I didn’t have to justify myself.

“I nevertheless sent Prandelli a message and I explained the situation. I always told him to be open with me and say where I’ve gone wrong. I guaranteed him that I am calm and that I’m training well. But I didn’t apologise because there is nothing to apologise for.”

However he is perceived beyond City, Balotelli’s goalscoring remains key to fending off the challenge of Manchester United and the striker is confident the title will be heading to the Etihad Stadium.

“We are a great group,” he said. “We have quality. If we remain together until the end, United will finish behind us and they are not to be feared.