But City’s manager is refusing to entertain title talk at such an early stage - despite promising the fans that his team will “fight until the end” this winter to keep pole position.
Goals from man-of-the-match Mario Balotelli, Adam Johnson, Vincent Kompany and James Milner took City to the top of the table after Liverpool and Manchester United drew 1-1 at Anfield.
Mancini said: “We’ve only played eight games, there are another 30, it’s a very long way. We should be happy to go to Old Trafford on top but we should understand that the position can change every week.
“It’s important to stay there or very close now. We will fight until the end. We have started very well and won a lot of games, but we need to do more.”
Balotelli inspired City’s win with a performance crowned by a marvellous overhead strike to break the deadlock, while Milner’s technique was impeccable as he finished off his old side.
Mancini said: “We had a problem for the first 15 minutes, it’s always difficult after an international break, but then we played very well. Mario scored a fantastic goal and it changed the game.
“Mario is happy. He was on the bench four or five times and maybe he understood.
It’s not easy for a player to stay on the bench with me and watch the game
“He worked for the team and I’m happy - for 50 days he’s worked well and played well. He’s motivated. He’s playing and scoring, which is important.”
“We know this week will be hard. Villa, followed by Villarreal in the Champions League and after that we have the derby. We must focus on Villarreal first.
“Sir Alex (Ferguson) has more experience than me. He knows he has a fantastic team. He always respects the other team, that’s why they are champions and have won the Champions League.”
