Mancini: City must be ready if United slip up

Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini told his players to be ready to capitalise on any slip-ups from Barclays Premier League title rivals Manchester United after they were held to a 3-3 draw with Sunderland.

Mario Balotelli’s second goal of the afternoon and a powerful Aleksandar Kolarov strike inside the last five minutes at the Etihad Stadium earned City a draw on Saturday, but it was not enough to take the initiative back from United.

Sunderland had powered into a 3-1 lead with two goals from Sebastian Larsson and a fine header from Nicklas Bendtner.

Mancini said: “It is hard but we have another seven games. We have done some mistakes in the last games, but also United can arrive in a difficult moment. It is important we are there.

“Before the derby it is important we recover two points.”

Chelsea boss Roberto Di Matteo sang the praises of Fernando Torres after his upturn in form continued with a goal in his side’s 4-2 win over Aston Villa.

Torres scored his first Premier League goal for six months to put the icing on a sixth win in eight games under Di Matteo.

The Blues looked to be cruising as Daniel Sturridge and Branislav Ivanovic put them 2-0 in front, only for Villa to equalise through goals from James Collins and Eric Lichaj.

However, Ivanovic’s second goal of the game and then Torres’ injury-time finish sealed the points.

Torres had last scored in the league on September 24 against Swansea – he was also sent off – and Di Matteo added: “I have always said it doesn’t matter who scores.

“Fernando has been providing goals for others and now he has scored as well. It was a tremendous goal.”

QPR boss Mark Hughes hailed the contribution of Joey Barton after the midfielder bounced back from being booed by his own fans to star in a 2-1 win over Arsenal.

Former Tottenham midfielder Adel Taarabt opened the scoring for QPR in the first half before Samba Diakite wrapped up a 2-1 for the west Londoners following Theo Walcott’s equaliser.

Barton was recalled to the starting XI after being dropped for a poor performance against Liverpool and Hughes said: “I thought Joey was different class.

“He got a lot of stick last time out because his performance level wasn’t high enough and he acknowledged that.

“I thought the crowd was great in terms of how they encouraged him and they willed him to a top-class performance.”

Everton beat West Brom 2-0 with goals from Leon Osman’s strike, which deflected off Gareth McAuley, and Victor Anichebe.

Fulham enjoyed a 2-1 win against Norwich, Clint Dempsey prodding home in the second minute and then setting up Damien Duff, before Aaron Wilbraham pulled one back in the 77th minute.

Wolves were rooted to the bottom of the table following a 3-2 home loss against Bolton, while fellow strugglers Wigan got just a second home win of the season as they beat Stoke 2-0.