Importance of cup not lost on Mancini

Stoke City 0 Manchester City 1

When fans’ favourite Pablo Zabaleta pounced at the far post for an 85th-minute winner, the Argentina defender didn’t merely, and deservedly, send City into the last 16, he kept alive Mancini’s hopes of satisfying the club’s paymasters.

The Etihad manager is expected to deliver a trophy this season, not only to justify a huge investment but as evidence that progress is being made on the pitch as well as off it.