• Premier League

Tevez sent down City pecking order

ESPN staff
September 24, 2011
Carlos Tevez is on the outer at City © Getty Images
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Carlos Tevez could find himself relegated to fourth choice striker at Manchester City this season.

In his first two seasons with City, Tevez had been one of the first names on the team sheet of first Mark Hughes, then current boss Roberto Mancini.

However, a late return after appearing at the Copa America for Argentina, and with his future at the Etihad Stadium uncertain, led Mancini to leave the striker out of City's opening two games, starting with the Community Shield.

Edin Dzeko took the chance to impress and with Sergio Aguero equally impressive following his arrival from Atletico Madrid, Tevez was squeezed out. And the news is even worse, with Mario Balotelli able to occupy a wide berth, Tevez's chances could become very limited.

"Mario could have more chance because he can also play wide," said Mancini, ahead of Saturday's Premier League encounter with Everton.

"The thing is, Carlos is not 100% at this moment. He needs to play to find good form and he understands that we have other strikers that at this moment are doing well and scoring goals."

No matter who Mancini has used in the past, it has not helped him to find a way of beating Everton, though.

The Toffeemen have emerged victorious on seven of the last eight meetings between the two sides, including the last four, a period that encompasses all Mancini's duels with David Moyes.

It is something that happened in reverse during his Sampdoria days and the City boss admits he struggles for an explanation.

"When I played for Sampdoria, we went to Udinese and always won," he recalled. "This can happen in football. Maybe I should just cancel the game."

The latter comment was delivered with a smile but Mancini knows his side should end the run soon, given the vast disparity in income between City and cash-strapped Everton.

"There are many clubs like Everton who can't spend money. They are still a good team. Maybe they spent in the past or have young players who have come from the academy.

"I like Tim Cahill a lot. His mind works for the team all the time. He is not tall but he is fantastic in the air," he said of the Australian.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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