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Mancini defends fiery Balotelli after latest indiscretion

Mario Balotelli was not on the pitch for long © Getty Images

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Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini feels Balotelli was unlucky to have been sent off against Liverpool on Sunday, questioning the second booking when the Italian clumsily jumped into Martin Skrtel.

"For me the second was not a yellow card," Mancini told Sky Sports.

Balotelli stopped and had words with his boss on the touchline after the sending off but Mancini remained tight-lipped when asked what had been said, saying: "I don't remember, nothing."

He also denied there were any issues with Balotelli, who was reported to have damaged the door to the away dressing room at Anfield in the aftermath of his dismissal. Mancini added: "No, we don't have any problems. He is young, I think he was disappointed for the yellow card.

"If he's damaged the dressing room door he pays - just like his house."

After being held to a draw, Liverpool midfielder Charlie Adam believes his side are improving.

The Reds equalised Vincent Kompany's opener for City when Adam's shot took a huge deflection off Joleon Lescott to leave goalkeeper Joe Hart completely wrong-footed.

Both teams looked for the winner with the hosts relentless, especially after Mario Balotelli was sent off for two yellow cards, and Hart saved from Andy Carroll in stoppage time.

Adam told Sky Sports: "Manchester City are a top side and have top players and we knew it would be difficult.

"But we stuck to our guns and we played well. It was great entertainment.

"We are progressing the way we want to progress."

Man of the match Lucas said: "We tried to play the same we did against Chelsea. We tried to pressure and keep the ball.

"I think we deserved to win but a draw is not a bad result."

Of Carroll, he added: "Andy is working really hard on the training ground. Hart did a very good save and we couldn't score."

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