Hart stays strong as Mario lets side down

MARIO BALOTELLI blew another fuse at Anfield but Manchester City’s title ambitions remain intact after passing a thorough examination on Merseyside, scene of their last league defeat.

Balotelli, whose last appearance at the venue saw him become the first Roberto Mancini substitute to be substituted since Robinho, was dismissed for the third time in a City shirt following a second yellow card after elbowing Martin Skrtel seven minutes from time.

With an enthralling game intriguingly poised at 1-1, Liverpool sent on Andy Carroll and bombarded City as they looked to make the extra man advantage count.