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Roberto Mancini: 'Mario Balotelli is crazy'

Mancini: 'Balotelli is crazy'
© PA Photos
Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini describes Mario Balotelli as "crazy" after his side's 6-1 win against Manchester United.

Roberto Mancini has described Mario Balotelli as "crazy" after the striker's brace helped Manchester City thump local rivals Manchester United 6-1 at Old Trafford.

The controversial forward scored City's first two goals just 24 hours after he had to evacuate his house due to a blaze caused by setting off fireworks indoors.

Balotelli revealed a t-shirt which read 'Why always me?' after he netted his first at Old Trafford, and Mancini believes it is his eccentric personality that makes him a fans' favourite.

"That's Mario," said Mancini. "But that's why he's so popular with the supporters – because he is crazy.

"He is crazy but I love him as a guy. Maybe if you take away that part of him it might take something away from him as a player.

"But I love him because he is good guy and he has everything to become a top player."

The win has opened up a five-point gap at the top of the Premier League table between first-place City and United.

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2Chelsea1594235181731
3Arsenal1585229151429
4Manchester CityMan City158342721627
5Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest157441918125
6Aston Villa157442323025
7Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton156632522324
8Bournemouth157352320324
9Brentford157263128323
10Fulham156542220223
11Tottenham HotspurSpurs1562731191220
12Newcastle UnitedNewcastle155551921-220
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd155461918119
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham155372028-818
15Everton143561421-714
16Leicester CityLeicester153572130-914
17Crystal Palace152761420-613
18Ipswich TownIpswich151681427-139
19Wolverhampton WanderersWolves1523102338-159
20Southampton1512121131-205


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