Source: Daily_Mail
Mario Balotelli must improve, says Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini
Roberto Mancini has warned Mario Balotelli he cannot expect his work to be done once he has scored.[LNB]The Manchester City striker scored his ninth goal of the campaign at Eastlands on Sunday but it was not enough to give the Blues victory over a battling Fulham outfit.[LNB]Damien Duff equalised just after half-time and the Cottagers were more likely victors the longer the match went on. And Balotelli was amongst those taking the blame.[LNB] Shape up: Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini has demanded improvement from Mario Balotelli[LNB]'I am not happy with Mario,' said Mancini. 'I know him very well and I know he can play better. He can play for the team.[LNB]'He scored a fantastic goal but there were still 70 minutes left.[LNB] 'He can't lose the ball all the time. Every time the ball went to the front, we didn't keep it.'[LNB]As Mancini was forced to replace Edin Dzeko with Patrick Vieira in an attempt to shore up City's midfield, his experiment of playing all three big name strikers might have to be scrapped for Wednesday's FA Cup fifth round tie with Aston Villa.[LNB]Not that the Italian has many options considering the injury curse that robbed him of eight senior players, David Silva and Vincent Kompany the latest victims.[LNB]As his team failed to gain a win on home soil which would have maintained a semblance of a title challenge, Mancini's mood was probably not the best as the full-time whistle went.[LNB]That the man denying him should be his predecessor Mark Hughes only made matters worse.[LNB]The Italian only offered the limpest of post-match handshakes, not even bothering to look Hughes' way, triggering an angry reaction from Hughes.[LNB] Touchline battle: Mancini and Hughes were embroiled in a heated exchange after the whistle at Eastlands[LNB]'I am old fashioned,' he said. 'I alwaysthink you should offer your hand in whatever circumstances, no matter how difficult it is.[LNB]'I did it, and did it with sincerity after my team had been beaten 4-1 at Craven Cottage earlier this season. I acknowledged his team were better.[LNB]'Maybe I misread it but I don't feel Roberto really acknowledged the efforts of my team and what we had done by the manner he offered his hand, by not looking at me.'[LNB]Mancini countered with the accusation Hughes had done exactly the same thing in November following one of City's best performances of the season.[LNB]'In London he did the same,' said Mancini. 'I know he said something but I couldn't understand what.[LNB]'He (Hughes) should be happy. His team got a draw against us.'[LNB] Hughes unhappy with Mancini as Fulham's point ends City's title hopeNapoli striker Cavani could be world's most expensive player at ?85mWatch all the Premier League goals every week on our brilliant video playerAll the latest Manchester City news, features and opinion [LNB] Explore more:People: Edin Dzeko, Vincent Kompany, Patrick Vieira, David Silva, Roberto Mancini, Mark Hughes, Damien Duff, Mario Balotelli Places: London
