Roberto Mancini hailed the importance of 10-man Manchester City maintaining their unbeaten Premier League start at Liverpool.
No issue with dismissed Balotelli, says Italian
Roberto Mancini hailed the importance of 10-man Manchester City maintaining their unbeaten Premier League start with a 1-1 draw at Liverpool.
But the Italian was forced to defend controversial striker Mario Balotelli once again as the second-half substitute saw red after picking up two yellow cards in 18 minutes.
Leaders City had to ride out a late onslaught by the Reds and Mancini was grateful for the late heroics of England keeper Joe Hart.
Hart produced a world-class save to deny Andy Carroll netting a certain injury-time winner and handing City their first defeat in 13 league matches.
However, City also had a golden chance to win the Anfield clash after Balotelli's dismissal when David Silva rounded Pepe Reina before seeing his shot cleared off the line.
Important
The draw helped City reopen their five-point gap over neighbours Manchester United.
Mancini told
Sky Sports: "It is a good result, especially because we played the last ten minutes with ten men. It is very important.
"Joe saved the situation but with ten men we had a big, big chance to win it at the end through David Silva.
"But it was very important to remain unbeaten because it says we are a strong team.
"For us it was a good result because it was difficult."
Balotelli reportedly broke the away dressing room door after he was sent off for tugging back Glen Johnson and then clashing with Martin Skrtel in a high challenge.
Mancini claimed he did not remember what he said to Balotelli as the player left the field, but insisted he was not berating his fellow Italian.
No problem
He said: "For me the second foul was not a yellow card. He didn't deserve the second yellow card.
"I wasn't disciplining him because the second yellow card was not correct in my opinion.
"We didn't have any problem."
