Mancini sidesteps Mario row

Balotelli walked straight down the tunnel when he was replaced by Sergio Aguero during the second half of City's 3-0 win over Sunderland on Saturday.

And reports in Sunday's newspapers suggested the Italy international had risked another row with his manager by booking a flight home within hours of his substitution.

But Mancini would not be drawn into an argument in the aftermath of the game, saying: "Mario worked a lot and he had a chance. I am happy with Mario, he played a good game."

It was left to the manager's assistant David Platt to give a more forthright appraisal of Balotelli's behaviour.

Platt said: "I don't know why he walked down the tunnel. He wasn't injured. Should he have walked straight down the tunnel? No."