Mancini defends City tactics

(07-01-2011) Roberto Mancini has leapt to the defence of the tactics Manchester City employed in Wednesday’s stalemate with Arsenal. The Blues were booed off the pitch at the Emirates after producing an extremely defensive display and offered little going forward. The Gunners in turn hit the woodwork three times. "I prefer one point and being booed than no points and being applauded off the pitch,” said City boss Mancini afterwards. "We wanted to win, but sometimes the other team plays better than you and if that happens then you must not lose." In Mancini’s defence, he was unable to select David Silva, Mario Balotelli and Aleksandar Kolarov and he said it was not realistic to expect City to win every game they play, especially away from Eastlands. The result leaves City in second place, two points behind Manchester United having played two more games than their neighbours.