Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini was glad to put a 'difficult' January behind him with a 3-0 win at home to Fulham in the Premier League.
The Italian saw his side consolidate their spot at the top of the table in freezing conditions at Etihad Stadium thanks to Sergio Aguero's penalty and an Edin Dzeko strike, as well as an own goal from Chris Baird.
City put a stuttering run of form behind them after losses to Sunderland and Everton in the league, Liverpool in the Carling Cup and Manchester United in the FA Cup.
Mancini now believes City can push on and win the Premier League with a three point lead at the top ahead of second-placed United's game at Chelsea on Sunday.
"Maybe something can change after this because January was a difficult month," Mancini said.
"The most important thing is the clean sheet for the team and to win very quickly after the Everton defeat on Tuesday night."
However, Mancini is well aware of the dogfight his side is in following the two league losses in January.
"We know we are fighting against fantastic teams like Manchester United and Tottenham."
"Like us, they know if you want to win this league you have to win all your games and not think about other teams."
"I don't think United have more pressure. They are used to it because they always stay there."
Fulham contemporary Martin Jol described Adam Johnson's effort to win their first half penalty as the 'most beautiful dive (he's) ever seen' but admitted City were the better side.
"They were a bit lucky to be 2-0 up, if you saw the first goal and the second goal it was a bit unfortunate. I think they were the better team," Jol said.
"If you come to Manchester City always you hope for a good result but if you go two goals down early it's almost a lost cause."
On Johnson's theatrical effort to win the penalty after minimal contact from Baird, Jol found the funnier side.
"I think it was the most beautiful dive I've ever seen," a smiling Jol said.
1 - 0 |
||
|
C. Baird (OG) 30'
|
2 - 0 |
|
3 - 0 |
| # | Player | Bookings |
|---|---|---|
| 25 | J. Hart | |
| 2 | M. Richards | |
| 6 | J. Lescott | |
| 13 | A. Kolarov |
 74'
|
| 15 | S. Savić | |
| 19 |
S. Nasri
|
|
| 18 | G. Barry | |
| 11 |
A. Johnson
|
|
| 21 | David Silva | |
| 16 |
S. Agüero
|
 10'
|
| 10 | E. Džeko |
 72'
|
| Coach: R. Mancini | ||
| # | Player | Bookings |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | M. Schwarzer | |
| 14 |
P. Senderos
|
66'
|
| 5 | B. Hangeland | |
| 6 | C. Baird |
 30'
85'
|
| 2 | S. Kelly | |
| 23 | C. Dempsey | |
| 29 | S. Davies | |
| 16 | D. Duff | |
| 13 | D. Murphy | |
| 20 |
D. Etuhu
|
|
| 30 |
M. Dembélé
|
75'
|
| Coach: M. Jol | ||
| # | Player | Bookings |
|---|---|---|
| 7 |
for S. Nasri 55' |
|
| 34 |
for S. Agüero 80' |
|
| 8 |
for A. Johnson 90' |
|
| 5 | ||
| 22 | ||
| 30 | ||
| 44 |
| # | Player | Bookings |
|---|---|---|
| 11 |
for D. Etuhu 68' |
|
| 3 |
for P. Senderos 73' |
|
| 15 |
for M. Dembélé 85' |
|
| 10 | ||
| 12 | ||
| 18 | ||
| 21 |
