Roberto Mancini admitted Manchester City will struggle to replace Yaya Touré during his month-long absence at the Africa Cup of Nations after the midfielder inspired the team to a 3-0 victory against Liverpool.
Touré proved the central figure as Manchester City moved three points clear of Manchester United at the top of the table with a resounding win against Kenny Dalglish’s team.
With Mancini confirming that Touré will report for international duty with the Ivory Coast following Sunday’s FA Cup tie with United, the City manager conceded that his absence would hurt the league leaders.
“I’ve tried to find another Yaya in the squad but there is no one,” Mancini said. “He is an important player for us and without him it will be difficult because we play every three days. Owen Hargreaves has trained well this week, so he might be ready for Sunday, but we will miss Yaya.”
Mancini added: “This is a crucial month for us, but if we can stay on top after January then we have a good chance to win [the title].
"United are a strong team, but we should just think about ourselves and keep trying to win every game then see what happens. I’m pleased. We didn’t deserve to lose at Sunderland but we did a good performance here.”
Mancini apologised for brandishing an imaginary yellow card when Martin Skrtel gave away a second-half penalty with a foul on Yaya Touré.
“In the moment maybe I did that because I was not happy with the referee, but I made a mistake,” Mancini said.
Dalglish admitted his team’s defeat was largely due to their poor finishing. He said: “If you want to be a successful team, and they [City] are one, you have got to be clinical. We’ve got to get that into our make-up.
"Tonight we never had that. It’s a lesson learned for us. We have to take it on the chin and make sure we don’t repeat it.”
Mancini apologizes for waiving card
Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini apologized for brandishing an imaginary card at the referee after Martin Skrtel had brought down Yaya Toure in the box late on in Manchester City's 3-0 victory over Liverpool on Tuesday night.
Referee Mike Jones had dismissed City midfielder Gareth Barry moments earlier for a second bookable offense at the City of Manchester Stadium.
And the Italian was clearly trying to get Jones to even up the score as he waved an imaginary card frantically on the touchline after he had awarded the penalty.
However, the City chief was quick to try and draw a line under the incident after the game.
"In the moment I did what I did but I was not happy with the referee," he told Sky Sports. "When you play, during the game sometimes you can do something in the game that you regret, but in that moment I did not agree with the referee."
City had stuttered of late but the 3-0 win courtesy of goals from Sergio Aguero, Yaya Toure and James Milner saw them move three points clear of second placed Manchester United.
However, when it was suggested the result sent out a message that they are back to their best, Mancini insisted he just wants them to keep focusing on their own results.
"I think we that we should concentrate on ourselves and not about sending out messages," he added. "For us, it's important to try and win every game because we know if we want to win the Barclays Premier League we have to be very, very strong because we play against teams like Liverpool, United and Tottenham."
Bolton boss Coyle hopes to keep hold of Man City's Boyata
Bolton Wanderers boss Owen Coyle wants to keep hold of defender Dedryck Boyata.
Bolton are waiting to hear if Manchester City will recall Boyata from his loan.
There is a clause in Boyata’s season-long loan to Bolton enabling City to recall him this month, but Coyle hopes to keep him as a ready-made replacement for Gary Cahill in central defence.
"That would be City’s decision," said the Bolton boss. "It was put in for their protection in case they had a lot of injuries. At the moment, they have not come to us and it is left as it was."
[spoiler]
[/spoiler]OTHER BOLLOX
Chelsea and England midfielder Frank Lampard says he will not leave Chelsea, and warns the club it would be a big mistake to get rid of too many senior players. London Evening Standard
Meanwhile Gary Cahill's proposed move to Stamford Bridge could be jeopardised by his wage demands. Bolton and Chelsea have agreed a £7m transfer fee but the England defender has reportedly asked for £120,000 per week, the same salary as Ashley Cole, but some £50,000 per week higher than Chelsea's valuation. Daily Express
Newcastle will not be making a move for Liverpool striker Andy Carroll on loan - despite reports linking him with a move back to the club. Newcastle Chronicle
However, the Magpies are believed to be tracking the progress of Brighton and England under-21 defender Lewis Dunk. Newcastle Chronicle
QPR have added Scotland and Rangers goalkeeper Allan McGregor to their list of transfer targets. Daily Mail
Galatasaray are ready to test Liverpool's resolve to hang on to forward Dirk Kuyt, as the Dutchman continues to battle for a place in Kenny Dalglish's new-look side. Metro
Olympiakos and Marseille have joined French club Dijon in the bid to sign Chelsea midfielder Gael Kakuta. Daily Mirror
Arsenal and Liverpool have been handed a boost in their bid to sign Lukas Podolski after the Cologne and Germany international striker stalled on talks over a new contract at the Bundesliga club. Bild
Arsenal's next defender may herald from the Oman second division, with 24-year-old Saad al-Mukhaini offered a two-day trial this week. The Times
Newcastle are believed to have been offered Juventus striker Vincenzo Iaquinta on loan. Daily Mail
Everton could be ready to offer Manchester United and Republic of Ireland midfielder Darron Gibson a way out of Old Trafford. Manchester United Evening News
Manchester United are ready to go head-to-head with Hamburg for FC Basel teenager Granit Xhaka, as manager Sir Alex Ferguson contemplates alternatives to Wesley Sneijder. Metro
United are also believed to be watching CSKA Moscow and Russia international midfielder Alan Dzagoev, with Sir Alex Ferguson pondering a January move. talkShit
Fulham are believed to have made a £10m approach for Argentina striker Maxi Lopez of Italian club Catania. Daily Mirror
Meanwhile Bolton boss Owen Coyle has denied making an approach for Fulham and England forward Bobby Zamora. talkShit
Tottenham playmaker Rafael van der Vaart says he will not be leaving White Hart Lane during the January transfer window. Foxsports
Spurs have also not ruled out a move for out-of-favour Real Madrid playmaker Kaka. Footybunker
The Lilywhites are considering a bid for West ham centre-back James Tomkins. The 22-year-old has already been the subject of two rejected bids from Newcastle, the last of which was thought to be around £2.5m. Daily Mail
One player likely to leave White Hart Lane is Steven Pienaar, who is expected to go out on loan for the remainder of the season. Pienaar is thought to favour a return to Everton, but Sunderland and Aston Villa are also interested. The Times
Former Rangers boss Alex McLeish is planning a £6m bid to bring Celtic midfielder Ki Sung-Yueng to Aston Villa.
Daily Record
Arsenal's attempts to field Thierry Henry in a reserve fixture on Wednesday have been scuppered as they are still to receive the necessary paperwork from his club New York Red Bulls regarding the two-month loan deal. The 34-year-old is now expected to make his second Arsenal debut as a substitute in Monday's FA Cup tie with Leeds. The Sun
Norwich striker Steve Morison believes QPR midfielder Joey Barton can have few complaints over his controversial red card, as Rangers appeal against the decision. Eastern Daily Press
Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea says he has no intention of leaving Old Trafford. the Sun
Blackburn manager Steve Kean has insisted none of his star names is up for sale in January. Lancashire Telegraph
Everton captain Phil Neville believes the Toffees can still clinch a European spot this season. Liverpool Echo
Computer giants Apple are showing an interest in joining the battle for the next set of live Premier League TV rights when the tender goes out before the end of the season. Daily Mail
Arsenal goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny hit trendy nightclub Mahiki with his injured team-mate Jack Wilshere, just hours after taking the blame for conceding a soft goal in the Gunners' 2-1 reverse at Fulham. Metro
Rangers players were sent home from training on Tuesday after storms ripped eight panels off the roof of their indoor pitch at the Auchenhowie base.Daily Record
MORE BOLLOX SOON ...
