Tevez relishing City role

CARLOS TEVEZ has spoken of his affection for Manchester City and declared: “I play for the shirt.”

The Argentinian striker took his tally for the season to 25 goals with a hat-trick in the 3-0 victory against Wigan on Monday night.

Tevez has become a fans’ favourite since arriving from Manchester United in the summer – and there is mutual respect.

He said: “I am very happy with the win and very happy for the team. It was important we won and important to score the goals for the fans because I play for the team.”

Tevez’s treble took City above Liverpool and left them just two points behind fourth-placed Tottenham with seven games remaining.

The key match in the race for a Champions League place could turn out to be the one against Harry Redknapp’s side at Eastlands on May 5.

Tevez has turned out to be a lucky charm for City as they have never lost a league game when he has scored.

He added: “All the goals I have got are for the fans and the team. It feels great to be here and get all this support when I am on the pitch.”

Tevez’s partnership with Emmanuel Adebayor in the remaining matches will be crucial, according to manager Roberto Mancini.

The Italian boss wants Adebayor to quickly regain his match sharpness as he looked off the pace against Wigan following a four-match absence through suspension.

Mancini said: “I hope that Emmanuel will play better because it will be important for us. We need him and Carlos to be 100%.”

Next up are struggling Burnley at Turf Moor and there will be one enforced change on Saturday as Pablo Zabaleta is ruled out through suspension.

Mancini said: “We need to fight in the last seven games and we know it will be difficult when we face Burnley. I want us to play better than against Wigan because we have the players. I want my team to play good football.

“A Champions League place? It is in our hands. It depends on us. We have a good chance.”

Meanwhile the FA have asked Wigan manager Roberto Martinez for his ‘observations’ about his controversial comments after Monday night’s match.

Martinez was furious at referee Stuart Attwell for the second-half dismissal of defender Gary Caldwell for a tackle on Tevez.

As the match was still scoreless at the time, Martinez felt the decision had a huge bearing on the outcome, which put City back in contention for a top-four spot, whilst at the same time leaving Wigan in the relegation dog-fight.

If anything, the Latics chief felt Tevez had been the transgressor and felt Attwell could not have seen the incident properly to reach the eventual outcome and accused the official of ‘lying’.

“I cannot understand how you can give something you can’t see,” said Martinez.

“To give a red card you have to be certain.

“Gary said he went in really strong and got the ball. Carlos Tevez saw it and jumped off the ground, he is the one who left both feet.

“We are all human beings and we all make mistakes but to give a decision after something you don’t see that is lying. You are making it up. That is hard to take.

“He (the referee) said he saw Gary Caldwell with both feet off the ground. That’s why he gave the red card. But Gary Caldwell only went with one foot. That is a real injustice.”

Martinez has until April 6 to respond, which is the same day City manager Roberto Mancini must answer a similar FA query into his conduct during City’s recent home defeat to Everton.