Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini hails ‘fantastic’ Edin Dzeko after Blackburn victory

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Roberto Mancini praised Edin Dzeko after the Bosnian’s goal secured Manchester City‘s 1-0 victory over Blackburn Rovers.

City had struggled to break down a resilient Blackburn defence until the 75th minute when a David Silva strike was deflected into the path of the Bosnian who promptly fired it past Paul Robinson for his first Premier League goal his £27 million arrival from Wolfsburg.

And speaking to reporters after the win Mancini admitted the striker had struggled to adapt to the English game when he first arrived, and he was full of praise for the Bosnian after he secured them a crucial victory.

“Edin is a fantastic striker,” Mancini said.

“He had some problems because he didn’t play more games in the past, he had some difficulties because he didn’t score, but I think that this evening he scored an important goal for us and for him.

“He deserved to score because he is a good striker and a good guy. I enjoyed the goal for him because he deserved to score this important goal for us.”

City had to battle for the victory as Blackburn restricted the number of chances the Blues could create and Mancini admitted he was very pleased with an important victory.

“It was a very big win, at this stage every game is difficult,” he admitted.

“I think that in the first half we played fantastic football and we deserved to score two goals.

“In the second half we had a problem because Blackburn played a long ball game and for us it’s difficult to play football like this, but we deserved to win.”

Mancini’s men dominated the first half but were put under more pressure by Rovers in the second half as they changed their style to frustrate City, and the Italian was particularly pleased with the way his side handled the more direct approach from their hosts.

“The second half was difficult because to play long ball is difficult,” he added.

“Every ball that arrives in the box could be a problem, if you play against a team like Blackburn it is important we fight on every ball, very important we win in a different way in the second half.

“A top squad would win a game like tonight, when maybe you can’t play, we played well in the second half, and we had a different way to win.

“We are very happy when we play football, but in the second half it was very difficult. Every game from now to the end will be like this.”

The result leaves City fourth in the Premier League, four points clear of fifth-placed Tottenham and only five points behind stuttering Arsenal in third. However Mancini explained that he was just concentrating on winning games rather than getting above the Gunners.

“Arsenal has five points more than us, but it is important that we continue to win,” he continued.

“The next game against West Ham will be very hard, it will be the same as tonight. They play well, they don’t deserve to be on the bottom. It is important for us to win the next game.

“We have another five games, we should try to win every game if possible. Spurs, have 4 points less than us, but every game is difficult. Anything can happen.”