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.
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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.”

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."

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.

Manchester City striker Mario Balotelli faces £250,000 fine for strip-club visit

Mario Balotelli is set to be fined two weeks wages — in the region of £250,000 — after being pictured outside a Liverpool strip club in the early hours of Friday morning.

Booby trap: Manchester City striker Mario Balotelli is set to forego two weeks wages after he was pictured outside a Liverpool lap-dancing club

The Italian striker, 21, scored in the 2-0 victory over Bolton which moved City five points clear at the top of the Premier League table about 36 hours after his trip to the lap-dancing venue.

But he played nonetheless because manager Roberto Mancini learned of the story only when he arrived at the Etihad Stadium before kick-off.

It is the latest in a string of Balotelli misdemeanours, but only hours after the picture was taken, Mancini was defending the striker after he was excluded from his national squad.

The pair will meet today and Mancini says Balotelli will be fined the maximum of two weeks’ wages if the story proves to be true.

He said: “Tomorrow I will speak with him because I am disappointed with him.

“It’s not right for me and the squad but it’s not correct because a professional player cannot stay out until 2am.

“I will speak with him and if it’s true we will do the maximum fine that we can.

“Mario played well. He had a lot of chances and maybe if he got more sleep he could have scored three or four goals.”

Carlos Tévez could make his first public appearance in a Manchester City shirt in almost five months next Tuesday following a 45-minute training ground outing for the club’s reserves on Monday.

Tévez, who returned from an unauthorised three-month break in Buenos Aires two weeks ago before apologising to the club for his behaviour this season, pulled on a Manchester City shirt for the first time since the Champions League defeat against Bayern Munich last September.

He played in the first half of the second-string defeat against Preston North End, behind closed doors at the Carrington training centre.

City’s first-team coach David Platt confirmed at the weekend that Tévez will play in a number of '11 versus 11’ games before being considered for a first-team recall, and the Argentine is being lined up to play against Bolton reserves in the Manchester Senior Cup at SportCity next week.

Should Tévez play in that game, it will be the first time he will have appeared in front of the club’s supporters since the night in Munich, when he angered manager Roberto Mancini and was ultimately found guilty of five counts of misconduct by the club for refusing to warm-up as a substitute.

Against Preston, Tévez was watched by City’s football administrator, Brian Marwood, and development executive Patrick Vieira as he played his first competitive football since mid-September.

The striker had one effort on goal during an uneventful appearance, but sources close to the player claim that Tévez enjoyed his outing and remains on course to be fit for a first-team recall in time for the trip to Swansea on March 11.

Mancini, who claimed Tévez would never play for City again following events in Munich, has admitted that Tévez will be considered for selection once he proves his fitness, but the Premier League game against Swansea is viewed as the earliest possible opportunity for a return to the squad.

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Manchester City strikers under pressure to continue goal glut ahead of return of Carlos Tévez

Carlos Tévez was not in the team, on the substitutes’ bench or even inside the Etihad Stadium as Manchester City edged three points closer to a first league championship since 1968 with a routine 3-0 victory against Blackburn, yet the Argentine’s presence was clearly felt.

Looking forwards: the form of Manchester City's strikers could lead Roberto Mancini to leave Carlos Tévez out of the side for the rest of the Premier League season 

Tévez, the returning rebel who has been welcomed back into the fold at Manchester City having apologised for his recent conduct since ending his unauthorised three-month sojourn in Buenos Aires, might never play for Roberto Mancini’s first team again.

His attempts to return to full fitness with extra sessions on the training pitch may ultimately prove futile if Mancini chooses to omit his former captain for the final 12 league games of this season.

But the mere fact that Tévez is back in the dressing room and around the club ensures that Sergio Agüero, Edin Dzeko and Mario Balotelli now have a proven Premier League goalscorer, and double title-winner, to worry about if their output in front of goal begins to diminish during the coming weeks.

Since Tévez lifted the grey cloud above Eastlands last week and banished his status as the elephant in the room by publicly apologising for his destructive behaviour this season, City have scored seven goals in two games, with Agüero, Dzeko and Balotelli all contributing at least one goal.

If the pattern continues and the goal glut extends, City and Mancini will be the big winners and Tévez might just have to accept an unwitting role as a non-playing catalyst.

So there is clearly no rush on Mancini’s part to add a temperamental ingredient to a recipe which, at the moment, does not require extra spice.

“The manager said maybe for Swansea [March 11], Carlos can be available for selection,” admitted Mancini’s assistant, David Platt. “That’s not too far away, but it could be a little bit longer than that.

“Carlos is back and he’s training. He’s a had period of time off, but he needs some conditioning and he needs to get ready for playing football again.

“He’s joining in the sessions and he does a little bit of work afterwards. He’s got his head down and that’s what he’s doing.

“But we need to find some 11 v 11 football for him. We will do that to get him into a condition where he’s available for selection if the manager wants to pick him, but that whole process takes a lot longer than 24 hours.”

The City supporters, desperate to see their team usurp Manchester United as champions, appear to have adopted a neutral stance on Tévez.

There are no banners devoted to him at Eastlands, such as the ‘Forza Mancini’ tribute to the manager, yet against Blackburn, there were no anti-Tévez chants or messages either.

Pragmatism appears to be the order of the day. An uneasy truce has been struck until the summer and, if Tévez can contribute to a title success, then he will achieve some kind of redemption.

“I don’t know how the fans will react to him,” Platt said. “I think we and Carlos have to cross that bridge when we come to it, but he can’t do more that he’s already done.

“He’s apologised and that apology has been accepted and we’re getting on with things for the good of Manchester City.”

City were never in any danger of requiring Tévez to rescue them against Blackburn, however.

Steve Kean’s team, who somehow secured a 3-2 victory at Old Trafford two months ago, were totally devoid of ambition and quality. If they avoid relegation, they will be one of the worst teams in the Premier League history to do so.

It was all too easy for City once Balotelli opened the scoring with a crisp half-volley on the half-hour.

The goal obliterated Blackburn’s tactic of playing for a point and second-half strikes from Agüero and Dzeko ensured City’s winning margin reflected their dominance.

Porto considering complaint against Manchester City fans over Hulk 'You're not Incredible' chant

Porto are considering a complaint to Uefa against Manchester City supporters after they taunted Brazilian striker Hulk with chants of "You're not Incredible".

Hulk gets a telling off from the referee

Hulk was also targeted by City fans with calls of "cheat" and Porto communications director Rui Cerqueira said the club would take action about the "improper behaviour".

Cerqueira told Portuguese news agency Lusa that one of the Porto coaches had heard the chants.

He said: "We will take this to Uefa. It is improper behaviour. This behaviour may be normal in England but Porto want to contribute to eradicating it from sport."

The action may be retaliation for City's complaint that Porto fans racially abused Mario Balotelli and Yaya Touré at the Estadio do Dragao last week.

Uefa charged Porto on Tuesday and a disciplinary hearing will be held on Mar 29.

Porto have denied any racism, claiming the chants were both sets of supporters chanting in support of Hulk and Sergio "Kun" Aguero. Cerqueira said last week: "Kun, Kun, Kun; Hulk, Hulk, Hulk – those chants can be easily confused with racist chants.

"We are very proud of having a multiracial team, with players from all backgrounds and to have achieved many titles with respect.

"Porto players have never felt the slightest hint of racism and we were very surprised with the accusations."

Uefa said this morning they had yet to receive any complaint from Porto.

Man City reach last 16 of Europa League as Tevez apologizes to Mancini

Manchester City powered into the last 16 of the Europa League with a 4-0 win over holders Porto Wednesday at the Etihad Stadium.

The English Premier League leaders had a 2-1 advantage from the first leg in Portugal and went through 6-1 on aggregate.

It is the second boost in 24 hours for manager Roberto Mancini, who has finally drawn an apology from striker Carlos Tevez after a three-month standoff which left the Argentine star on the sidelines.

Tevez told the club's official website: "I wish to apologize sincerely and unreservedly to everybody I have let down and to whom my actions over the last few months have caused offence.

"My wish is to concentrate on playing football for Manchester City."

He also withdrew his appeal to the Premier League against a fine of six weeks' wages.

Mancini confirmed in his post-match interview that he had "no problem" with Tevez after his apology.

"He needs a good two to three weeks to train but if he is ready he can play," the Italian told ESPN.

Mancini picked a strong team for their second leg tie against Porto and he was rewarded when Sergio Aguero opened the scoring after just 18 seconds.

It was the 20th goal of the season for Tevez's international teammate.

Porto, watched by their former manager Andre Villas-Boas, enjoyed good possession, but rarely tested Joe Hart in the home goal.

Their fate was sealed when Aguero played in substitute Edin Dzeko for the second late on.

Porto had Rolando sent off for a second yellow card and City rubbed it in with further late strikes from David Silva and David Pizarro.

Manchester United, 2-0 up from their first leg, can join arch local rivals City in the last 16 when they face ff Ajax at Old Trafford Thursday, but will be missing Wayne Rooney for the match.

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Aston Villa 0 Manchester City 1

Joleon Lescott scored the only goal of the game as Manchester City returned to the top of the Premier League with a gritty 1-0 win over Aston Villa.

City went into this game a point behind Manchester United and almost took the lead when Adam Johnson struck the post.

Villa's resistance was broken after the hour when Lescott hooked in from close range following James Milner's corner.

Alex McLeish's men have now not won at home since a 3-2 victory over Norwich on 5 November, seven games ago.

In contrast, City have found life on the road difficult in recent weeks, winning just one of their previous six games - and scoring only three goals in the process.

With United taking four points from their last two games against Chelseaand Liverpool, City found themselves off the top of the table for the first time since September.

From the start, City struggled to convert their possession into clear chances.

Milner should have done better but, after David Silva slid the ball into his path, the England midfielder couldn't untangle his feet to get a meaningful shot away.

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Johnson, starting back-to-back Premier League games for the first time since October, came closest to breaking the deadlock, cutting infield from the right and striking the outside of the post.

With James Collins restored to the Villa defence, the home side looked solid at the back but failed to trouble Joe Hart, who only had two routine Richard Dunne headers to deal with.

There are signs that Silva is recreating the instinctive understanding he had with David Villa at Valencia with Sergio Aguero at City. But, while Aguero was a constant menace, the Argentine didn't have a vintage day in front of goal, squandering several openings.

Villa defended well for the most part - containing the Silva in the second half - but were undone when Lescott scored what proved the winner.

Milner's corner from the left found Gareth Barry at the far post. He headed into the path of Lescott, who turned and buried his shot from close range before reeling away in delight.

Charles N'Zogbia and boss McLeish went into this game following a locker room row after their defeat at Newcastle last weekend - but McLeish introduced the Frenchman soon after going behind.

Villa benefited from N'Zogbia's presence and were lifted when he injected some much-needed positivity to their attacks.

Carlos Cuellar, playing an unfamiliar role at left-back, had City panicked when he met Stiliyan Petrov's corner but planted his header over the bar.

City, defending on their own 18-yard line in the final moments, afforded Villa one final chance in stoppage time. James Collins leapt high to head Petrov's corner to Bent, who did well to readjust his body and shoot from close-range - but Hart pulled off a fantastic reaction stop.

Villa had to see out the final moments without captain Dunne, who fell awkwardly on his shoulder under a challenge with Hart, as City ground out a vital, if not pretty, victory.

LINEUP, BOOKINGS (3) & SUBSTITUTIONS (6)

Aston Villa

• 01 Given
• 02 Hutton
• 05 Dunne Booked (Baker - 90' )
• 06 Collins
• 24 Cuellar
• 12 Albrighton (Ireland - 77' )
• 19 Petrov Booked
• 38 Gardner
• 09 Bent
• 18 Heskey (N'Zogbia - 69' Booked )
• 20 Keane

Substitutes

• 22 Guzan
• 03 Warnock
• 32 Baker
• 07 Ireland
• 10 N'Zogbia
• 25 Bannan
• 26 Weimann

Manchester City

• 25 Hart
• 04 Kompany
• 05 Zabaleta
• 06 Lescott
• 13 Kolarov
• 07 Milner
• 11 Johnson (Nasri - 84' )
• 18 Barry
• 21 Silva (Richards - 90' )
• 34 De Jong
• 16 Aguero (Dzeko - 89' )

Substitutes

• 30 Pantilimon
• 02 Richards
• 15 Savic
• 22 Clichy
• 08 Pizarro
• 19 Nasri
• 10 Dzeko

Ref: Oliver

Att: 35,13
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