Mancini has high praise for Zabaleta

ROBERTO MANCINI has credited unsung hero Pablo Zabaleta with making the decisive contribution to Manchester City’s crucial Premier League win over Arsenal yesterday.

David Silva bagged the second-half match-winner that ensured City only need a point from tomorrow’s encounter with Stoke at the Etihad Stadium to claim top spot at Christmas for the first time since 1929.

On Sunday, with Gael Clichy missing, Zabaleta switched flanks and succeeded in pinning down Theo Walcott, which Mancini felt was key to City’s eventual triumph.