Source: Team_Talk
Pitch did Burnley a favour - AJ
Adam Johnson admitted his relief after the torrential rain at Turf Moor failed to bring a premature end to Manchester City's rout of Burnley.[LNB] The visitors triumphed 6-1, but there was real doubt over an increasingly sodden pitch at half-time despite their 5-0 advantage at that stage.[LNB]Johnson, who was named as ESPN's man of the match after his crosses set up three goals, told the broadcaster: "I had a little word with the ref a couple of times to see how long it was allowed to go before it couldn't be called off - he was just laughing.[LNB]"If the pitch had stayed the way it was in the first half it might have been even more. It probably did them a favour the way we were playing."[LNB]Manager Roberto Mancini denied he had any concerns over an abandonment, saying: "No, but second half it was impossible to play football on the ground.[LNB]"I'm very happy. We started the game very well and scored quickly and the game was finished.[LNB]"We began the game well. For Burnley it was not a good day but we played well."[LNB]The result took Mancini's side into fourth place in the Premier League - a point ahead of Tottenham in the race for the Champions League after Harry Redknapp's side lost at Sunderland.[LNB]"We wanted to win this game. We had a big chance today after Tottenham losing," Mancini added. "We have a good chance to get the fourth position but we must play six difficult games."[LNB]Striker Emmanuel Adebayor scored twice, with the other goals coming from Craig Bellamy, Carlos Tevez, Patrick Vieira and Vincent Kompany.[LNB]And the Togo star said: "What is very important is to keep fighting for what we can fight for. It's great to be part of this team. We are all fighting for our target which is to finish in the top four.[LNB]"In the first 15 minutes we took all of our chances. That's what the boss told us, to try and kill the game as quickly as possible."
