Mancini: Win worth more than three points

Roberto Mancini believes Manchester City’s 2-1 victory over Chelsea could prove significant in the English Premier League title race.

Having surrendered top spot to defending champions Manchester United earlier this month, City trailed Chelsea 1-0 heading in the final minutes of Wednesday’s match at Etihad Stadium.

The home side levelled through a Sergio Aguero penalty on 78 minutes, before Sami Nasri netted the winner with four minutes remaining, closing the gap on United to just one point.

“I think (this victory) is worth more than three points,” Mancini said.

“I think that we deserved to win this game because we had three or four chances after the first 20 minutes, and now we have this problem where we have chances but don’t score.”

“When they scored their goal we didn’t deserve to go down 1-0, but we desired to win the game.”

City’s next match is away to Stoke on Saturday, while United are at home to Fulham two days later.

Mancini is determined to pick up maximum points at the Britannia Stadium and keep the pressure on Sir Alex Ferguson’s front-runners.

“We have one game (on) Saturday, we want to go to win at Stoke – we know that it will not be easy to win there – but we want this,” he said.

Mancini introduced Carlos Tevez in the second half for his first City appearance since September.

The Argentina international marked his return from self-imposed exile by providing a skilful assist for Nasri’s winner, drawing tentative praise from his manager.

“I’m happy because he did well, although he’s not in good form,” Mancini said. “I don’t think he’s fit 100 percent but he knows football.”

Chelsea’s caretaker manger Roberto di Matteo questioned the decision of referee Mike Dean to award a penalty against Michael Essien for a close-range handball.

“It was a bit harsh,” Di Matteo told Sky Sports.

“It was a handball, for sure, but I don’t think he (Essien) could have disappeared – he was very close to the ball.”

“I think we fought very hard and deserved a point at least.”

“I think the penalty gave them a lift – we were defending very well at that point. It gave them just that little hope that they needed.”