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A superb individual performance by Mario Balotelli coupled by goals from Adam Johnson, Samir Nasri and Stefan Savic saw Manchester City put the woes of the week behind them as they crushed Blackburn Rovers 4-0 and proved that they may not need Carlos Tevez after all.
The victory at Ewood Park under the awkward October heatwave brought some relief to an otherwise tumultuous week for the FA Cup holders.
Poise, precision, clinical, ruthless and looking every bit the serious title contenders that they promised to be, it seems that Roberto Mancini’s men have quickly got over the Carlos Tevez shenanigans and once again look like a unified team.
Of course, Steve Keen’s very average Blackburn side did not provide for the stiffest of competition, however, the ease into which first-team ‘fringe’ players such as Adam Johnson and Mario Balotelli in particular slotted in and functioned as a unit spoke volumes.
Johnson himself has never disappointed in his role as a ‘super-sub’, however, Mario Balotelli – playing in the absence of the injured Sergio Aguero and the dropped Edin Dzeko, was particularly impressive once again.
How ironic that a man who himself has been the subject of a lot of negative headlines in recent months, is the one who has and will benefit most from Carlos Tevez’s misdemeanors.
Quite simply, the Italian has been admirably patient as well as being impeccably behaved in recent weeks despite not starting any of City’s opening six matches – a fact not lost on boss Roberto Mancini.
‘Super Mario’s’ cameo role against Everton was accompanied with a well-taken goal and subsequently a big hug for coach Mancini and at Ewood Park, a joyful Balotelli gleefully ripped Rovers apart.
Aside from etching himself in the City fans’ good books, the former Inter Milan ace is now looking to be the answer to the pervading question of who can step in if Tevez is ditched. That answer looks all the more clearer, moreover, a Aguero-Dzeko-Balotelli front three will put any defence on this planet on guard.
The mood at Eastlands is overwhelmingly in favour of Mancini axing City bad-boy Carlos Tevez who has been, rightfully ostracized for his refusal to come on in Munich with his team down 2-0.
This is a feeling not lost on City’s more clued-up players such Micah Richards as he criticized the Argentine’s selfish actions.
“There was always going to be a bit of tension because Carlos is a top player and hasn’t been getting in the team,” the defender was quoted as saying by The Mirror.
“But there was no sign that he was going to do what he did. I like Carlos. He’s probably still the best player that I have played with and I’ll always be grateful he came to City and helped us achieve what we did last season.
“But we are a top team now. We can’t just be about one or two players because if you want to challenge for the big trophies it has to be about the strength of your squad.
“There’s a lesson for us to learn here. If we want to be a top team then as individuals we have to sacrifice ourselves. I went through it myself.
“I might not be a big name like Carlos Tevez but I am an England international and I thought I should be playing in every game. You do get emotional. Your pride does hurt.
“Aguero and Dzeko have been on fire this season and when Balotelli came on last week against Everton he scored an important goal.
“I thought Carlos was just waiting for his chance to show what he could do. You’re never happy if you aren’t playing, but we’ve got a big squad and we’ve all just got to use it,” he ended.
Carlos who?
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