Tevez hat-trick serves notice of City intent

Manchester City 4 Blackburn 1. Manchester City's progress under Roberto Mancini continued with a comprehensive 4-1 win over Blackburn Rovers, a result which lifts them into the top four and leaves them just seven points behind the league leaders Chelsea. It also makes Patrick Vieira's bullish talk about winning the title when he arrived at City sound less ridiculous than it did at first blush.

A hat-trick from Argentine Carlos Tevez, his first for City, helped them on their way. The striker has now managed 11 goals in his last nine games and could be on course to beat his entire tally for Manchester United in his first season at City. He manged 19 in two seasons for Sir Alex Ferguson, but already has 15 this term.

Mancini revealed after the game that he had tried to sign Tevez when he was manager of Inter Milan and the player was wearing the red of United. "I asked about him three years ago but it was impossible. He was at United and he would not have changed teams," said the City boss.

Two of Tevez's goals were set up by forgotten striker Benjani, who had not featured for eight months. The Zimbabwean forward also had a hand in City's other goal - a sensational effort by defender Micah Richards. He galloped almost the length of the pitch before feeding Benjani and then firing in the rebound when the striker hit the post.

Mancini revealed that he was not altogether happy after seeing his side concede their first goal under his stewardship. Morton Gamst Pedersen pulled one back for Blackburn with 20 minutes remaining.

But despite that minor blip things are looking good for the suave Italian, who has given Emmanuel Adebayor as much time as he needs to recover from the attack on the Togo team bus at the African Cup of Nations. The striker is expected to return to England at the end of the week, but will not be expected to play until he is ready.

In the meantime there is no shortage of options for Mancini - who brought Roque Santa Cruz and Robinho off the bench to bolster his forward line. ·