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Roberto Mancini: "Skrtel was like a youngster"

Mancini:
© PA Photos
Roberto Mancini criticises Martin Skrtl for exaggerating the extent of a Mario Balotelli challenge.

Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini has criticised the sending off of Mario Balotelli during their 1-1 draw with Liverpool at Anfield yesterday (Sunday).

The Italian received a second yellow card for an apparent elbow to the head of Liverpool defender Martin Skrtl, but Mancini has said that the decision was unfair.

"There are a lot of situations like this in the Premier League in every game," Mancini said. "Mario just moved his arm and Skrtel was like a youngster. I don't think it was good.

"The referee gave the free kick but didn't want to give the yellow card. He didn't want to do anything but all the Liverpool players were going 'yellow card, yellow card' — that's my opinion.

"The second yellow card was not correct and the ref did not want to give it but every time Mario does something, many players provoke him."

City maintain their position at the top of the Premier League table, five points ahead of local rivals Manchester United.

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Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool119112161528
2Manchester CityMan City117222213923
3Chelsea115422113819
4Arsenal115421812619
5Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest115421510519
6Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton115421915419
7Fulham115331613318
8Newcastle UnitedNewcastle115331311218
9Aston Villa115331717018
10Tottenham HotspurSpurs1151523131016
11Brentford115152222016
12Bournemouth114341515015
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd114341212015
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham113351319-612
15Leicester CityLeicester112451421-710
16Everton112451017-710
17Ipswich TownIpswich111551222-108
18Crystal Palace11146815-77
19Wolverhampton WanderersWolves111371627-116
20Southampton11119721-144


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