Mancini rues missed chances

Mancini: Frustrated with wasted chances against Everton

Roberto Mancini was frustrated Manchester City failed to capitalise on numerous chances during their defeat to Everton on Saturday.

City took firm control in the first half at Goodison Park, putting constant pressure on the hosts before Yaya Toure eventually hit home the opener.

But plenty of opportunities went begging, most notably when Patrick Vieira blasted his effort over the crossbar from inside the six-yard box.

Everton produced a second-half revival to clinch a 2-1 win, which could prove damaging in City’s bid for a UEFA Champions League spot this season.

And Mancini admits his side should have made the most of their opportunities to wrap up three points after dominating the opening 45 minutes.

“It was impossible to lose this game today after the first half and all the chances that we had. “
Roberto Mancini Quotes of the week

Impossible

“It was impossible to lose this game today after the first half and all the chances that we had,” Mancini told Sky Sports.

“It’s not impossible to score a goal and it’s important we score the goal. We had too many chances to score.”

The defeat means fourth-placed City were unable to stretch their advantage over Liverpool and Tottenham, who are their main rivals for a fourth-placed finish.

And Mancini knows they must now devote more importance to their midweek league clash with Spurs at Eastlands ahead of their FA Cup final at Wembley against Stoke next weekend.

He added: “If we had won this game we could have (concentrated on) preparing for the FA Cup final.”