THE LATEST ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE NEWS – Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini sent a warning to striker Mario Balotelli after the Italian failed to figure significantly against derby rivals Manchester United on Sunday.

Balotelli started for City on derby day but went out of the pitch on the 52nd minute after Carlos Tevez substituted him. The Italian went straight to the dressing room and seen glaring at Mancini as he entered the tunnel.

Amid tensions between Mancini and Balotelli, the manager still prefers not to let go of the Italian striker. He believes that the striker could leave a footpr1nt at City, if only he would choose to take his job seriously.

THE LATEST ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE NEWS – Wayne Rooney’s brace and Robin van Persie’s injury-time penalty lifted Manchester United above their staunch rival neighbours Manchester City 2-3 in Sunday’s Premier League action.

Touted for his lacklustre start this season, Rooney came out of the shadows to score twice for United during the first half. The striker’s significant contribution brought his league derby goals record to seven, equal to that of iconic forward Eric Cantona.

Yaya Toure proved pivotal for City’s resurgence in the second half, as the powerful midfielder converted after Carlos Tevez and David Silva failed to find the back of the net. Pablo Zabaleta levelled his side through a firing effort from 12 yards.

Come injury time, United sought to leave a footpr1nt in the derby by sending van Persie to take the free kick after Tevez’ unfair challenge on Rafael Da Silva. Keeper Joe Hart failed to clear the Dutch striker’s bottom-corner shot.

THE LATEST UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE NEWS – Manchester United have qualified for the Champions League this season, but ended their group stage run with a disappointing home loss to CFR Cluj-Napoca 0-1.

                                                    

United wished to leave a footpr1nt with another home win on Wednesday, but the Red Devils failed to turn around a 25-yard effort from Luis Alberto. The match left a worrying precedent for manager Sir Alex Ferguson in time for Sunday’s Manchester derby against Manchester City.

THE LATEST UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE NEWS – Premier League champions Manchester City exits the Champions League without clinching a Europa League slot following their defeat to Borussia Dortmund 1-0.

None of Roberto Mancini’s men was able to score against Dortmund, which needed a strike from Julian Schlieber in order to retain the top spot in the group stage. City were not able to leave a footpr1nt in the competition, as they exit without a win in six games.

City’s disappointing record of three points in the table is a scanty reflection of their expensive squad. They became the first English side in the competition that failed to record a single game in the group stage match.

THE LATEST ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE NEWS – Despite persistent reports, Chelsea have not reached out to former Avram Grant regarding an assistant role to interim manager Rafael Benitez.

Rafa went on without winning his three games for Chelsea after taking over from the reins of Roberto Di Matteo. Fans showed disapproval of the Spaniard’s takeover, noting his days as Liverpool manager in which his side had a bitter rivalry against the Blues.

Grant managed to leave a footpr1nt of positive impression to Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich. He led the Blues as their interim manager in 2007-08 and brought them to the Champions League final. Under him, the Stamford Bridge side never lost a league home game.

THE LATEST ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE NEWS – Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson lamented his side’s apparently weak defence after their 4-3 win against Reading.

The seven-goal thriller saw all of the goals come in during the first half, with United trailing twice before Robin van Persie’s 34th-minute winner.

Ferguson noted that the match featured United’s “worst defending of the season”, as his side have easily conceded three goals, initially compromising their chances to win w1th ease.

THE LATEST ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE NEWS – Premier League champions Manchester City found another victory over Wigan 0-2 in Wednesday’s league game to bolster their title campaign this season, leaving them one point away from number one Manchester United.

The Latics failed to intimidate in their home fixture against City, as the visitors constantly threatened to score. Mario Balotelli opened scoring on the 69th minute, finding the back of the net for the first time this season.

James Milner, substituting for Kolo Toure, ensured that his side would win w1th ease through his powerful strike just three minutes after the opener.