• Premier League

Mancini lauds Milner as City lay down marker

ESPN staff
August 24, 2010
James Milner impressed on his Manchester City debut © Getty Images
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Roberto Mancini has fired a warning shot to fellow title challengers by insisting that the win over Liverpool is just the start of things to come.

Inspired by a Carlos Tevez brace and a brilliant debut from James Milner, Manchester City stunned Roy Hodgson's men, scoring three unanswered goals to earn their first victory in the Premier League this season.

Cheered on by wealthy owner Sheikh Mansour, City showed signs that their multi-million pound squad are capable of playing as a unit - and Mancini believes the team will only get better.

"This was an important win for us and we can now develop further," he said. "I am happy because we beat a strong team like Liverpool who can fight for the title this season.

"We need time to gel and time to improve because we are missing five players or so. If the players have a good mentality on the pitch then we can do everything. We played with the right mentality. That is an important fact because if they have that mentality on the pitch we can beat every team."

City's night got off to a flyer when their new £24 million recruit, Milner, fed Gareth Barry for the opening goal at Eastlands, and Mancini was quick to heap praise on his newest addition.

"I was happy with all of our players and Milner did very well on his debut. he has everything to do in his job. He has a good technique and is very strong. He is a fantastic player," he said.

"He was one of six English players in my team and this was very important. Now we need time to gel."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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