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Mancini apologises for card gesture

Roberto Mancini's Manchester City were too strong for Liverpool © PA Photos

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Premier League: City too good for Liverpool
Tuesday night gallery

Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini revealed he was happy with the 3-0 win over Liverpool, especially after his side had been in action just two days ago - a 1-0 defeat to Sunderland.

''This was a very important win. 'It was a difficult game because Liverpool is a fantastic team and also because Liverpool played four days ago and we played two days ago. This was terrible for us.''

The Italian also apologised for brandishing an imaginary yellow card on the touchline when Martin Skrtel gave away a penalty with a foul on Yaya Toure.

''In the moment maybe I did that because I was not happy with the referee, but I made a mistake,'' he added.

City captain Vincent Kompany praised his side for bouncing back from their defeat to Sunderland on New Year's Day.

"It was massive for us, we didn't deserve to lose against Sunderland but we were incredibly efficient today. For us it was very challenging, playing two games in 48 hours, and it was a great three points."

Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish rued his side's inability to convert their chances.

''If you want to be a successful team, and they 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.''

Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp was relieved to see his side take all three points against a stubborn West Brom side.

"It was a hard game. It was a tough game tonight, they have lots of injuries as well but Roy [Hodgson] set them up and they were difficult to break down. They got bodies in the way and there was nowhere to go when we had the ball for a lot of the game. We were struggling to get the breakthrough because they set themselves up, defended well and looked to hit us on the break when they could. They made it very hard for us."

Roy Hodgson, meanwhile, felt the Baggies deserved to leave White Hart Lane with a point.

"It's one of those horrible defeats I'm getting quite used to; there have been many of those in my Fulham and even my Liverpool days. "We've come away with the team having played well and taken no points at the end of it.

"I'm looking for one time when we come here and play unbelievably badly, have an incredible amount of good luck and sneak away from here with a victory, but it hasn't happened yet."

Sunderland manager Martin O'Neill hailed the Black Cats' "best win" since his arrival at the Stadium of Light.

"I thought it was our best win since I've been here for every reason under the sun. Players were out on their feet against Man City a couple of days ago - and had a day less to prepare - but the players summoned energy and courage that was fantastic."

Wigan manager Roberto Martinez felt Sunderland should not have been awarded the free-kick at the end of the first-half, from which Craig Gardner scored the Black Cats' opener.

"I don't understand why the referee gave the free-kick. It was the key moment. In the second half, we tried everything and left ourselves a little exposed at the back. The scoreline didn't really show what happened in the game."

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