Carlos a champion - Mancini

Carlos Tevez
12 April 2012

Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini has lauded Carlos Tevez as "a champion" after his side kept the pressure on Chelsea.

Tevez scored twice in the 3-2 victory against Blackpool to take his tally for the season to seven goals and 28 in his last 31 Barclays Premier League games.

"He did not play well for 45 minutes against Blackpool but then he scored two goals," said Mancini. "That is why he is a champion. This is what makes players like Carlos so important."

Defender Vincent Kompany added: "You can see that Carlos just needs a moment to make all the difference.

"But he helps everyone, and although our performance was not bad Blackpool played well. They were at home, so these are three very, very good points."

David Silva added a third goal - a fine solo effort - with substitute Marlon Harewood and Gary Taylor-Fletcher on target for Blackpool.

Mancini dedicated the victory to the memory of former coach Malcolm Allison, who died last week.

He added: "Malcolm was an important manager for City and I am very sorry for his passing. This win was for him.

"We have a strong squad. A squad that wins a title, that wins a trophy must win a game like this. Sometimes you do not deserve to win but your mentality will carry you through. That is what strong teams do."

It is an important week for City with title rivals Arsenal visiting Eastlands on Sunday following the Europa League home match with Lech Poznan on Thursday. Mancini will monitor the fitness of Kolo Toure ahead of the game with the Polish side as the defender has a hamstring injury.

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