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Mancini and Tevez in dressing room bust-up

Carlos Tevez was unhappy at Roberto Mancini's negative tactics © Getty Images

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Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini and captain Carlos Tevez were involved in a heated bust-up at half time in their side's 2-1 win over Newcastle on Sunday, according to reports.

Tevez was reportedly unhappy at Mancini's negative tactics and spoke out while the Italian boss was berating the players in the dressing room for their poor first-half performance with the score at 1-1 at Eastlands.

Mancini took exception to having his authority undermined and the situation escalated into a shouting match where Mancini demanded Tevez follow his instructions as manager.

Tevez had scored from a penalty in the first half and City went on to win the match 2-1 thanks to a piece of individual brilliance from substitute Adam Johnson but the argument threatens to derail City's strong start to the season, which sees them in second place after seven matches. It's the latest in a series of rows between Tevez and Mancini. The striker last season questioned the club's decision to sack Mancini's predecessor Mark Hughes and complained about the heavy workload of Mancini's training regime.

City's mean defence, which has conceded just three goals in seven matches, is the main factor behind their good results so far this term. But the team is so solid because Mancini's formation features just two wingers in support of Tevez up front, meaning there is a heavy reliance on the Argentine's famous workrate and a lack of service to Tevez, which is reportedly what angered the striker.

Tevez is away on national team duty for Argentina's friendly in Japan on Friday and Mancini will then have next week to sort out his relationship with his captain ahead of City's visit to Blackpool on October 17.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.