Source: Team_Talk
Mancini philosophical after late loss
Roberto Mancini was left to reflect on missed chances as Manchester City slipped to their first defeat of the season at Sunderland.[LNB] Darren Bent's injury-time penalty - the first goal City have conceded this season - claimed all three Premier League points for the Black Cats at the Stadium of Light on Sunday.[LNB]However, the visitors had earlier passed up a series of opportunities, including one gilt-edged chance for Carlos Tevez, before succumbing at the death.[LNB]Mancini said: "Football is very strange. We played fantastic football in the first half, we had three or four very good chances, but if you don't score, sometimes you can lose these games.[LNB]"We had the chance with Carlos, but we had another three or four situations where we could have scored a goal in the first half.[LNB]"But that's football. If you don't score a goal when you have these situations, maybe you can lose because every game is difficult and you must play until the last second."[LNB]City were left kicking themselves after Tevez passed up a glorious 16th-minute opportunity to open the scoring after being presented with an open goal by the impressive Yaya Tour.[LNB]The Argentinian fired high over with keeper Simon Mignolet beaten, and the visitors went in at the break having failed to make the most of their greater share of the possession.[LNB]However, it was a different story in the second half despite the Black Cats losing striker Fraizer Campbell with suspected knee ligament damage, and although Mignolet had to make a fine late save from substitute Emmanuel Adebayor, the drama came at the other end.[LNB]The game was deep into injury-time when Bent was hauled down by Micah Richards as he tried to meet Ahmed Elmohamady's right-wing cross, and referee Mike Dean pointed straight to the spot.[LNB]Bent was the calmest man in the stadium as he scuffed his penalty past Joe Hart to claim a famous victory, Sunderland's first over City in the top flight in almost 10 years.[LNB]Manager Steve Bruce said: "I'm delighted. It was a great performance from us. I have just said to my assistant, 'Is that the same team that played last week?', which is the problem.[LNB]"Today every one of them stuck at it, did their jobs properly. Of course, we rode our luck a little bit with the Tevez miss - I don't think he will ever miss a chance like that again - but we are due some.[LNB]"I think it's eight times we have conceded in the last couple of minutes, so it's nice to get one at the death for us for a change."[LNB]However, the gloss was taken off the win by Campbell's injury, which Bruce fears could sideline him for several months.[LNB]He said: "If there's a bad point, that is it because it looks as if he has damaged his knee ligaments.[LNB]"We hope it's not as serious as we fear, but it doesn't look good.[LNB]"With that, it's imperative that we try to bring a body in because we are a bit short there and if he is going to be missing for the next couple of months, which could be the situation, then we need to act if we possibly can."[LNB]Bruce, who has a long-standing interest in Ghana striker Asamoah Gyan, is also keen on Wigan's £9million-rated midfielder Charles N'Zogbia, but only at the right price.[LNB]He said: "I'm a big admirer of him, but that sort of money might be too rich."[LNB]Meanwhile, Mancini revealed he is awaiting developments during the remaining days of the transfer window with Fulham having been strongly linked with keeper Shay Given and Roque Santa Cruz and Robinho also attracting interest.[LNB]Mancini said: "I hope Shay can stay here. I spoke with Roque two days ago and he told me he had two or three situations, and Robinho the same.[LNB]"But we must wait until Tuesday."[LNB]Asked if there are offers on the table, the Italian replied: "For Roque and Robinho, yes, but I don't know if they will remain with me."
