Pep Guardiola's sex rules for a good night's sleep

Nasri has scored three goals in 10 appearances for Sevilla this season

Pep Guardiola wants his Manchester City players to refrain from having sex after midnight, according to on-loan French midfielder Samir Nasri.

The 29-year-old said the City boss imposed the rule, even if the team did not have a game the next day, so players get "a good night's sleep".

Guardiola is also claimed to have said it helped Barcelona forward Lionel Messi avoid muscle injuries.

Nasri was sent on a season-long loan to Sevilla on transfer deadline day.

He told French TV programme L'Équipe du Soir that Guardiola "wants his players to be slim and fit".

Nasri added: "He banned a lot of things in the kitchen but the biggest anecdote is that he says before a day off, those who want to have (sexual) relations it's before midnight. And that's with a day off the next day. It's because he wants you to have a good night's sleep."

Nasri, who signed for City in 2011, added: "He said he told that to Messi, who since then does not get muscle injuries."

The midfielder made one appearance for City this season, before he was loaned to the La Liga club

Guardiola did not allow Nasri to train with the main group during pre-season as he had returned overweight.

"Guardiola told me that I was a mess, he told me several times and even kicked me in the butt, literally," added Nasri.

How Guardiola beat Mourinho to the 'new Neymar' and Man City got one over Manchester United

Jesus has been dubbed the new Neymaer in Brazil

A delegation of representatives for Gabriel Jesus is due to fly in next month ahead of the 19-year-old’s move to Manchester City.

Among those expected is Giovanni Branchini - the Italian super agent, who has helped guide the careers of some of the game’s finest players, including Cristiano Ronaldo and his Brazilian namesake.

As Europe’s leading clubs targeted the teenage striker, Branchini was mandated to help broker a deal.And despite the interest of Manchester United, Real Madrid and Barcelona, Jesus was convinced to further his career under the guidance of Pep Guardiola at the Etihad.It is believed that a bigger personal package was on offer from Old Trafford - but the brightest prospect in Brazil was advised to make City his next move as Guardiola embarks on overhauling the squad he inherited from Manuel Pellegrini.

Guardiola has high hopes for Jesus when he arrives in January

The former Barcelona and Bayern Munich coach is eager to manage expectations of a player, who is leaving his homeland for the first time - and will arrive in Manchester along with his mother.

But age and experience aside, City have recruited Brazil’s new No9 - and the weight of history that brings with it.

One of the heroes of his country’s gold medal in Rio, Jesus has been described as the ‘new Neymar’.

Guardiola, himself, is convinced City have signed ‘goals’ - comparing his instinct for finishing to that of Sergio Aguero.

And the anticipation is that Jesus will provide competition for Aguero up front, at a time when the Argentine’s future continues to be the source of intense scrutiny.City’s leading scorer has agreed a one-year extension to his contract - but his status as an ‘untouchable’ has been broken by Guardiola.

The Catalan’s great frustration in his opening months in charge at the Etihad has been what he perceives to be a lack of ruthlessness in front of goal.

Aguero has scored 14 goals in 15 games - but has also missed three penalties.

His failure to convert a gilt-edged chance against Middlesbrough last weekend came back to haunt City as the Premier League newcomers struck late on to earn a draw.

In short, Jesus heads to Manchester with every opportunity to become a pivotal figure for Guardiola in the second half of the campaign.That is likely to have been in the mind of Branchini as the starlet’s future was being mapped out.

What hope of forcing his way into Barca’s star-studded MSN frontline of Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar?

Branchini has a rich history of representing some of the biggest names, so it is no surprise his counsel was sought for Jesus.

The feeling at City is that they’ve landed a future superstar.

In establishing himself as Brazil’s No9 in his first two months as a senior international, he is probably ahead of schedule.

But it points to the potential of a player who could have had his pick of Europe’s biggest clubs
.

Sergio Aguero to face no action over David Luiz challenge

Manchester City striker Sergio Aguero will face no action for his challenge on Chelsea defender David Luiz in Sunday's FA Cup semi-final .

The Football Association said the 24-year-old Argentina striker will not be charged retrospectively for the two-footed tackle in City's 2-1 victory.

It follows confirmation referee Chris Foy saw at least part of the incident and acted on it during the match.

Chelsea were awarded a free-kick after the tackle nine minutes from time.

Brazilian Luiz said Aguero should admit that he made a bad challenge after the game.

"Aguero's a great player, he needs to be honest with himself and say, 'I don't like to do bad tackles," he said. "It was five seconds of anger and I forgive him.
"

Manchester United v Manchester City: Yaya Toure deal shows City’s ambition

It was only a modest 30p Biro. Nothing fancy, nothing acquired from famous stationers but this cheap plastic pen with the coarse black ink should be placed in the Manchester City museum as an important club artefact.

Show of strength: Yaya Toure keeps Newcastle's Dan Gosling at bay 

Just when critics wondered how City would react to United’s inevitable recovery, along came three squiggles of Yaya Touré’s borrowed pen on two pages of a new four-year contract at 11.39am on Thursday at Carrington.

Ambition has never left the building. It is there in writing.

City’s transformation on and off a pitch that Touré graces with such dynamism is a cash-intensive, time-consuming undertaking by Abu Dhabi.

In an impatient world, a disappointing few months for an expensive team precipitates sceptical, occasionally apocalyptical headlines.

That is why Touré’s show of commitment to the club until 2017 transmits a welcome message of permanence, of exceptional quality staying associated with City long-term.

Touré’s well-timed scribbles before Monday’s derby declare that the skirmish for this season’s title may well be lost but the fight goes on next season, and the season after. City are here to stay.

They are simply echoing traits of their successful neighbours: keep building, keep responding.

Fascination surrounds City’s wealth, the characters it attracts and ensuing fluctuations of fortunes. City fans must have rolled their eyes when Carlos Tévez’s 250 hours of community service for driving misdemeanours received front-page exposure on the day North Korea threatened to go ballistic.

The end of the road for Tévez hardly compares with the end of the world. Tévez can get a taxi. He could share one with Samir Nasri.

Amid all this fevered focus on City players’ motoring mayhem, and scrutiny of the outgoing champions’ results and performances, Touré’s signature brings some calm and perspective.

This is not his most vibrant season, numbering as many bookings as goals (10) in his 36 games, including the Community Shield, for City and Ivory Coast, yet it would have been deeply damaging for the club if he had stalled on a deal, signalling a desire to leave.

City employ other talents but none quite in Touré’s coveted class with the possible exception of an in-form Sergio Agüero. The 29-year-old could walk into any dressing-room in the elite level of European football and be confident of marching back out in the starting line-up.

Different players, different teams, different systems, but Sergio Busquets or Touré at Barcelona?

Pep Guardiola eventually backed Busquets but Touré has sharpened his game since then, certainly in his first-touch redistribution. Sami Khedira or Touré at Real Madrid? Khedira is more defensive so comparisons are tricky. Many would go with Touré.

United, for all their 15-point advantage, could easily find space for him. Touré lost 3-2 to United at the Etihad in December but the memory remains of his storming game on April 30 when Ji-sung Park, Michael Carrick, Paul Scholes and Ryan Giggs could not live with him.

Went the limpet Park went off, Touré was even more of a force. The 6ft 3in, 14st Ivorian makes things happen, turning away from markers, surging forward with the ball.

When he begins building speed from midfield, he covers the ground quickly with those long strides, his strength of technique and physique making him equally hard to dispossess.

There is marvellous footage from last season of first Per Mertesacker and then Alex Song diving in and Touré simply gliding away from the Arsenal pair. There is the defensive side, sliding in to whisk the ball away from under Gareth Bale’s feet.

There is the power in the air, heading in at corners. There is the shooting with left foot or right, often crisp and precise as against Chelsea in February. He is all-round class.

There is dust in the air as well as ink on the paper at City. For all the misgivings over how the sums (as sponsorship or owner hand-out) have been juggled to appease FFP (Financial Fair Play), the £100 million Etihad Campus is a gem.

The City Football Academy rises with a large V-shaped building already constructed, soon to house tractors and other machinery.

Some of the 16 pitches have been levelled, with City’s first team and Academy aiming to be in-situ for the 2014-15 pre-season. The Campus, situated in a bereft area with polluted soil, will greatly benefit community as well as club.

Feasibility studies continue into how the Etihad Stadium can be expanded whether one or two stands at a time or a whole new tier placed on top.

With former Barcelona executives on board in Ferran Soriano and Txiki Begiristain, the manner of Nou Camp’s erstwhile redevelopment has been mentioned. Digging down would be too difficult.

Newcastle United considered that at St James’ Park during Sir John Hall’s reign but realised the Metro ran under the centre-circle.

In an office in the stadium, Tom Glick, the smart, friendly chief commercial and operating officer recruited from Derby County, looks to generate more money.

The desire to comply with FFP, whether through the deals for the Campus or maximising match-day revenue, is vital.

Nobody knows whether Uefa will possess the courage to ban clubs from European competition — and nobody is really holding their breath – but the FFP document has certainly focused attention.

As well as the substantial basic as before, Touré’s contract came with more performance-related incentives for goals, assists and trophies.

Good people are in powerful positions at City and a pronouncement, even a quiet confirmation, that Roberto Mancini will remain as manager would add to that feeling of continuity.

His position will be reviewed in the summer by Abu Dhabi but then they review everything. It is difficult to hear much unharmonious mood music.

The idea of Mancini being ousted would be offensive to most supporters. Just listen to the City fans at Old Trafford, voicing their love of the man who came from Italy to manage Man City.

They remember the barren years before Mancini. He is high-maintenance but he has brought trophies. Even this low-yield term could bring the FA Cup.

Tensions undoubtedly exist within the dressing-room, between manager and certain players. He has criticised Joe Hart excessively and Nasri legitimately. It does not mean there is incipient mutiny towards Mancini. He needs to start refining the summer targets.

City require a ball-winner, a high-class winger and prolific centre-forward. Touré’s extended residency will show potential new stars that City are here to stay. If they decide to sign, the Biro is on the table in the office next to Begiristain’s.

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.
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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.”

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
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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."