Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini will appeal against the dismissal of Mario Balotelli as he prepares to face bitter rivals Manchester United this week.
Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini will appeal against the dismissal of Mario Balotelli as he prepares to face bitter rivals Manchester United this week.
Mancini watched Balotelli make a rapid transformation from hero to zero after the Italian finally lifting the pressure on his compatriot with a double-strike in Sunday's 2-0 win at West Bromwich Albion.
Balotelli helped City to their first win in four matches before the striker was given a straight red card in the second half for a reckless kick at Youssouf Mulumbu, who was also later sent off.
It provided clear proof why Balotelli's high-maintenance reputation has dogged his career, although Mancini is ready to appeal the decision.
Even without Balotelli, City should be in confident mood ahead of their crunch encounter with deadly rivals United at Eastlands on Wednesday.
Mancini said: "It was very important to win going into the derby, we are in a good position. We can get second position maybe after that game.
"I'm always pleased to win. When you lose two or three games the atmosphere is not good but it's important that we continue to work because sometimes you can lose.
"But I don't agree with the referee. Red card, but for what? We will appeal the decision. It was not the right decision. Mario needs to calm down but I absolutely disagreed with the referee.
"He scored two fantastic goals and the red card was very harsh. I'm still angry with him because I explained to him before the game that he needs to pay attention with the referee."
The pressure had been building on Mancini after defeats against Arsenal, Wolves and Lech Poznan but this was as deserved as it was timely.
It leaves City in joint third and only three points behind United.
Mancini added: "I'm always pleased to win. When you lose two or three games the atmosphere is not good but it's important that we continue to work because sometimes you can lose.
"We lost one game in Poland and it's incredible we didn't win. Against Arsenal the game changed on the red card.
"At Wolverhampton we had five chances to score in the first half an hour and lost the game. In the end here we got what we wanted."
West Brom boss Roberto Di Matteo had not been beaten at the Hawthorns since January and City's performance only enhanced his belief that Mancini's expensively assembled squad can be title challengers.
Albion, the surprise package of the Premier League, return to action at West Ham on Wednesday and Di Matteo demanded a rapid response.
He said: "Over the 11 games we've played I think we've done well, apart from the Chelsea game and the first half here.
"We've been competitive in every game. We are struggling with injuries and suspension at the moment but we hae to lift ourselves up.
"It is still early in the season and we will go again at West Ham on Wednesday."
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