The City boss was pleased with the way his team stuck to the task of breaking down a side who, more often than not, packed all ten outfield players in the box, seemingly in search of a 0-0 draw.
“I am very happy because we kept going and didn’t give up,” said Mancini. “Everton made things very difficult so we needed to be patient and find a way through, which we eventually found.”
Mancini was also pleased for his two goal-scorers Mario Balotelli and James Milner, both who opened their Premier League accounts for the season.
“Mario is a good guy and he loves Manchester City,” he said. “Sometimes he isn’t happy when he scores - today he was and I am very pleased for him.
“He has had to wait for his chance and today he got it.
He has trained hard and never complained when he has been left out, so this is a good moment for him
...Mancini verdict
“I am also very pleased for James Milner because he works hard and wasn’t 100% fit today, yet he came on and made the game safe for us so I am also happy for him, too.”
Mancini explained the decision to leave Carlos Tevez on the bench and bring Balotelli on instead, adding: “I needed somebody who could play out wide, which Mario can while Carlos is more of a central striker. There is no other reason.”
