Roberto Mancini has bemoaned the awarding of a penalty, which he believes should never have been given, for dumping his side out of the League Cup at Anfield last night.

 

For the Citizens the evening began well, with Nigel de Jong cancelling out Liverpool’s 1-0 lead in the tie, before the controversial penalty decision arrived.

 

With the ball driven towards the goal, a sliding Micah Richards saw it bounce upwards off his leg and catch his arm – enough for referee Phil Dowd, who was positioned perfectly, to point to the spot.

 

Steven Gerrard duly slotted home and though Edin Dzeko put City ahead again after the break, Craig Bellamy levelled matters just minutes later.

 

And for Mancini, the match had turned on the penalty decision and also the referee’s decision not to award Dzeko a penalty when Charlie Adam clashed with him earlier in the evening.

 

"Without the mistake on the penalty we would probably have won", said Mancini. "It was no penalty. It should have been a penalty for us on Dzeko.

 

"The penalty for Dzeko was 100%. For Micah, the ball hit his leg before it hit his arm.

 

"I’m not being critical of the referee, I’m just giving my opinion."

 

And despite the exit, Mancini still had praise for his players.

 

"I’m happy with the performance. We’re disappointed with the result but we can do nothing now."

 

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