Mancini hits out over clash with Lambert

Manchester City’s Roberto Mancini has expressed frustration at the treatment he receives from rival managers following a touchline altercation with Paul Lambert during Tuesday’s Capital One Cup defeat to Aston Villa.

The Italian exchanged words with Villa counterpart Lambert following a heavy tackle on Manchester City midfielder 
Gareth Barry by Joe Bennett in the 4-2 extra-time defeat.

“I only asked the fourth official if there was a yellow card and he [Lambert] comes over to me,” Mancini said. “I am very tired with their behaviour. Sometimes these managers go to the big stadiums, and the other manager says everything and they say nothing. When they go to Old Trafford, they say nothing. When other managers talk about the referee they always sit on the bench. I don’t like this type of behaviour.”

In 2010, Mancini was handed a suspended £20,000 fine for barging into Everton manager David Moyes, having accused his rival of wasting time by holding on to the ball. By contrast, Lambert spoke highly of Mancini, saying the disagreement was “nothing”.

“I respect him as a manager and an ex-player. It wasn’t really a spat. It was nothing.”