Manchester City ended Newcastle United's unbeaten start to the season on Saturday with a 3-1 victory to maintain their five-point lead at the top of the Premier League standings.
Goals from Mario Balotelli, Micah Richards and Sergio Aguero secured all three points for City, who have now won 11 and drawn one in their 12 games this season - the best start to a Premier League campaign in history. Balotelli opened the scoring from the penalty spot on 41 minutes before Richards struck just before half-time to leave Newcastle in trouble.
Argentinian striker Aguero made it 3-0 on 72 minutes with another penalty before Dan Gosling netted a consolation strike for Newcastle on 89 minutes.
"As players, as a team, we are very strong now but the season is long and there will be difficult moments ahead," a satisfied Mancini said. "For this reason, it's important we know we can score goals and win games in a row."
"As players, as a team, we are very strong now but the season is long and there will be difficult moments ahead," a satisfied Mancini said. "For this reason, it's important we know we can score goals and win games in a row."
Manchester United kept the pressure on their crosstown rivals in the late kick-off after a Javier Hernandez goal gave them a 1-0 win at Swansea City.
Mexican international Hernandez struck on 11 minutes to settle a drab encounter at the Liberty Stadium as Sir Alex Ferguson's team recorded their fifth consecutive clean sheet since their 6-1 thrashing by City last month.
Van Persie stars again
In other matches on Saturday, Robin van Persie scored twice as Arsenal came from behind to defeat Norwich City 2-1 at Carrow Road to move up one spot to sixth. Van Persie took his goal tally for 2011 to a remarkable 31 in 29 games as Arsenal recorded their fifth consecutive league victory.
Norwich took the lead when Steve Morison pounced on a blunder by Per Mertesacker on 16 minutes before Dutch striker van Persie equalised in the 26th minute, netting the winner on 59 minutes.
"It was a very positive win, and the team is growing from game to game," Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger said before praising van Persie's contribution. "He is exceptional, but we all know within the club that he's an exceptional player. Sometimes, what was in the way was the fact he was injured. Since he plays, Robin shows just how good he is."
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