Mancini credits ´tired´ City

Roberto Mancini has hailed Manchester City’s mental strength in beating Swansea City after their recent Champions League disappointments.

Following their second defeat in Europe midweek, a 3-1 loss at Ajax, the Italian manager revealed his eagerness to avoid any last damage to City domestic challenges and the team were met by a chorus of boos at half-time after struggling to break down a stubborn Swansea side.

Carlos Tevez eventually netted the decisive goal in spectacular fashion and Mancini chose not to highlight his players’ slow start to the game, instead praising the defending champions for persevering.

“In this moment after Champions League defeat it’s important we start to win quickly,” he told reporters.

“(In the) first half (we played) so-so, (but) I think we were so tired. The second half we were getting better, we had lots of chances to score.”

Mario Balotelli’s arrival at the start of the second-half gave a previously frustrated Tevez and Mancini spoke of his delight at the Argentine breaking his eight-game scoreless streak.

“(Tevez) played well,” the former Inter Milan coach added. “He played also well against West Brom, he worked hard for the team.

“He scored today and it was an important goal, I am happy for him.”

The game ended on a sour note, with defender Micah Richards stretchered off with a knee injury 10 minutes from time.

With fellow right-backs Pablo Zabaleta and Maicon already sidelined, Mancini is hopeful that the seven-day break before the trip to face West Ham could leave enough time for one or both of the injured pair to return.

He added: “(Richards) has a problem in his knee, but I don’t know the situation. I hope (it is not bad) but I don’t know.

“(There is) no previous problem, he was tired because it was the third game in 10 games.

“We have one week we can recover, maybe we can recover a couple of players for the next game.”

Meanwhile, Swansea manager Michael Laudrup says goalkeeper Michel Vorm is likely to miss between ‘four to six weeks’ of first team football after suffering a groin injury.

The 29-year-old Dutchman was stretchered off halfway through the second-half after over-extending himself while attempting to save Tevez’s match-winner.

“It’s his groin, we’re talking weeks (before he can return), four to six weeks,” Laudrup said.

“It’s a part of football and even if it’s early in the season, that’s what can happen.

“There are a lot of games and it means everyone has to be ready and suddenly Gerhard (Tremmel) has to be ready to start against Liverpool and Chelsea.”

Swansea were a handful throughout the match and despite tasting defeat for the fourth time this season, Laudrup believes the team is capable of claiming positive results against Liverpool and Chelsea based on Saturday’s performance.

“I am never satisfied when we lose, but there are lots of positives to take from that,” he said.

“We can look forward to what is going to be a big week for us. If we play like that, there will definitely be something for us in the next two games.”