Sunderland born Adam Johnson’s wonderful late chip saved City’s blushes but the manager believes that this was a game his side could and possibly should have have won on the balance of play.
The stalemate left Mancini’s side in fifth spot but having played a game fewer than Tottenham in fourth spot.
“This was two points lost but I was pleased with the way we played in the second half,” reckoned Mancini who showed he was not afraid to make changes by throwing on a second central striker after just half an hour.
“We had several chances to score before we did. Three or four of them were really good ones and Craig Gordon save Sunderland on several occasions. He was a hero for them in the end but we should have done better with them.
I don’t know why we started so slowly because we have a very important prize which we are aiming for.
...Roberto Mancini
“We still have a game in hand and Tottenham have to come to play at our stadium as do Aston Villa so things are still in our own hands.
“There is no change in that respect. We have ten games which to play and if we want to reach the top four we have to win our home games. We still have a good chance.
“Sunderland played well in the first half but we were not good. We showed good character after the break and perhaps we deserved to win the game but we didn’t take out chances.
Mancini revealed that left back Wayne Bridge had been touch and go to start the game with a knee injury and that is what he was withdrawn in the opening half hour to make way for Roque Santa Cruz.
