Carlos' goal was the key: Mancini

Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini hailed his Argentine striker Carlos Tevez after City beat Fulham 2-1 victory at Craven Cottage yesterday.

"Carlos scored a fantastic goal, a key goal because after 2-0 we played calmer," Mancini said.

Roque Santa Cruz put City ahead in the 7th minute after which Tevez, made it 2-0 in the 36th.

Fulham captain Danny Murphy scored a 75th-minute penalty after Gareth Barry was deemed to have handled the ball, but it was not enough to impede City's hunt for fourth place and a Champions League qualifying spot.

The result saw City overtake Liverpool into fifth place in the table, two points behind Tottenham, with a game in hand while Fulham stay 10th.