Mancini shoulders blame as City come unstuck at Everton
Mancini insisted he got it all wrong as Darron Gibson’s first Premier League goal since March 2010 enabled United to move level on points with City.
Gibson’s telling contribution ensures City have only won once in their last 21 visits to Goodison Park.
Mancini said: “We didn’t prepare well and we had a problem. I can’t make the same mistake next time.
“I’m very disappointed with my mistake and we didn’t prepare well with the training. We are still at the top and there is 15 games to go and it’s important that we win the game at home on Saturday.
“I thought it would be easier but it never is here. We didn’t deserve to lose the game but it was because of my mistake that we did.”
Everton manager David Moyes celebrated his 150th game in charge of the Merseysiders and insisted the victory was one of the sweetest of his ten-year reign.
Gibson’s first goal since his £500,000 move came on the hour and completed an excellent evening for Everton, who also completed the £5.5m signing of Nikica Jelavic from Rangers.
Moyes said: “It typified everything Everton was about — and could be one of the best. It was a brilliant effort and it was certainly up there. That’s as good as it’s been at Everton for a long time.”
Gibson, who moved from Old Trafford earlier in the month, netted the only goal via a deflection off Gareth Barry. Asked if he expected some texts from his former team-mates, he told Sky Sports 2: “Probably will have, I think they will be quite happy.”
Gibson admitted scoring the winner against City was a good way to open his Goodison Park account.
“A goal against any club is good, a goal against top of the league is great.”
Man of the match John Heitinga paid tribute to the Everton team spirit. He said: “I think the team spirit today was terrific. That’s how you beat the big teams.
Premiership reports: 20, 21
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