Roberto Mancini hails Manchester City response

Roberto Mancini has declared that Manchester City proved they have the stomach for a title fight this afternoon with a 4-3 win at Norwich City.

City flew out of the traps at Carrow Road with an Edin Dzeko double in the first four minutes, but were forced to play with 10 men following Samir Nasri's dismissal.

Mancini believes that City dug in with a man disadvantage and deserved three important points.

He told Sky Sports News: "For me, I think that we played fantastic for 25 minutes and should have scored three or four.

"I don't know why [Samir was sent off] as the linesman was there and I don't know what he saw. We saw the video both play touch heads and with 10 men it was difficult.

"The guys played very well, they were fantastic. It was like at Sunderland but this time we scored. Today we showed we are there for the title because we will fight every game."

The defending champions finish 2012 seven points behind league leaders Manchester United.