Mancini red card gesture wins him no friends at Wigan

Wigan 0 Manchester City 1. A goal from Edin Dzeko helped Manchester City move three points clear of Manchester United but Roberto Mancini once again found himself at the centre of controversy.
 
The Sky Blues manager was furious that Wigan left-back Maynor Figueroa wasn't shown a red card for handling the ball when Sergio Aguero appeared to be closing in for a shot at goal. Mancini brandished an imaginary red card from the touchline at the DW Stadium to remind referee Martin Atkinson of his responsibilities, and when asked about his gesture afterwards replied: "I did it because [Wayne] Rooney did this, but this was normal when there is one chance like today. I am on the bench. It's different from a player who is near the referee."

Mancini's reference to Rooney indicates that the Italian has yet to get over the incident a fortnight ago when the Manchester United striker allegedly suggested to referee Chris Foy that he send off City captain Vincent Kompany for a strong challenge on Nani. Mancini was incensed at the time, as he was a week later when Liverpool defender Glen Johnson made a similar robust tackle on City's Joleon Lescott during their Carling Cup semi-final and received no punishment.

It didn't take Rooney long to respond to this latest salvo in the war of words between the pair. Talking on Twitter, the England striker sarcastically asked his followers: "Was Mancini asking for a red card???"

And Rooney wasn't the only person questioning Mancini's behaviour, with Wigan boss Roberto Martinez having some words of advice for his opposite number: "Trying to influence the referee is not acceptable in Britain. I understand that in France, Italy and Spain it is accepted but it is different here."

Childish gestures aside, Mancini was pleased with a hard-fought victory that extends City's lead at the top of the table to three points and puts his side in good heart ahead of the visit of third-placed Tottenham on Sunday. "At this moment it is important to take three points," said Mancini, adding: "It was about the victory not the performance tonight."

Dzeko, who headed the all-important goal on 22 minutes, echoed his manager's sentiments, saying: "I could have scored one or two more goals in the end, but I'm happy with the three points because it was a tough game and Wigan played very well." ·