A quick-fire hat-trick from Carlos Tevez - in just 12 minutes - came after Wigan were reduced to 10 men, Garry Caldwell getting a straight red card for a reckless challenge on the SArgentinean striker.
But prior to that it had been getting distinctly edgy as City looked to make amends for last week’s defeat to Everton by getting three much-needed points.
Reflecting on the win, the Manager said: “It was a tough game because Wigan played well. But I’m happy, and I’m very happy for Carlos because he played so well. I hope he can continue like this for the rest of the season.
We were not good in the first half and it was impossible for us to be like that again after the break, and Craig did well after coming on as a subsititute.
...Boss on second half improvement
We had to change the tempo after half time, but after the red card the game really changed. Sometimes football is like that.
“I did not see the red card incident, and I can’t comment on our penalty appeals - the bench is too far back and you cannot see from there!”
“I’m pleased with the clean sheet, and I am happy for Shay - it’s important to protect your keeper! If we want to finish fourth, we really have to pay attention in defence but we also need a lot of goals. I hope Carlos and Emmanuel can continue to work together like they did tonight. It was hard for Emmanuel, he has been away for a month and he needs to improve, but he did well tonight.”
Gareth Barry spent the evening on the bench, but Mancini explained that he wanted to give the England international some much-needed rest with one eye on the closing stages to the season, and another on other players who may have to serve a suspension before then.
“We rested Barry, he has played a lot this season and he needed rest with seven important games coming up. Pablo and Nigel were close to getting suspensions before tonight, so it was important to rest Gareth with that in mind.”
