Mancini: Balotelli gamble paid off

Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini admitted he took a gamble by using Mario Balotelli as a lone striker in last night’s FA Cup victory against Aston Villa.

Balotelli produced his usual unpredictable performance at Eastlands, scoring a brilliant goal, suffering an injury, getting booked and acting as peacemaker in a 3-0 win that earned the Blues a quarter-final meeting with Reading on March 13.