Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini has admitted he is proud of his players’ performance in their FA Cup loss to Manchester United yesterday and is now certain they can win the Premier League.

 

The Citizens lost a stormy encounter at Eastlands 3-2, with the display by referee Chris Foy coming under the microscope.

 

Sir Alex Ferguson’s troops went ahead courtesy of a powerful Wayne Rooney header after ten minutes, when the Englishman jumped highest and beat Micah Richards to a tempting cross.

 

The game quickly changed however when City defender Vincent Kompany saw red for a two-footed lunge. The Belgian clearly won the ball and the United player involved, Nani, stayed on his feet and showed no sign of appealing. It was controversial decision which shaped the rest of the match.

 

By half time United were 3-0 up thanks to further goals from Danny Welbeck and Rooney again. City though put on a spirited comeback with ten men, scoring through Aleksandar Kolarov and Sergio Aguero before piling on the pressure late on and having a handball appeal against Phil Jones in the penalty area turned down.

 

The Citizens ended the match feeling a sense of injustice. Mancini however was proud and believes it could spur them on to picking up the title.

 

"The players have shown character and taken a step forward", said the Italian.

 

"I think more than ever that we can go on and win the league.

 

"If we show the same attitude and strength in the other games that we showed against United with only ten men then yes, we can win the league. I said we had to improve and I think we are doing so.

 

"To play 80 minutes against one of the best teams in Europe with ten men and to come so close to saving the game was fantastic."

 

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