Tevez proves lucky mascot for Mancini as City chase fourth

ROBERTO MANCINI must be hoping Carlos Tevez keeps scoring in the last seven games of the season.

City have yet to lose a league game in which Tevez has scored – and so it proved to be again last night. He grabbed a second-half hat-trick in the 3-0 victory against Wigan to improve his side's chances of a Champions League slot next season.

Tevez took full advantage of former Hibs defender Gary Caldwell's controversial dismissal in the 55th minute for a challenge on him. Tevez struck in the 72nd minute with a clinical finish, doubled his tally three minutes later, scoring at the back post, then skipped away from a tiring Paul Scharner and Titus Bramble to chip into the corner in the 85th minute for his 25th goal of the season.

Wigan manager Roberto Martinez rounded on referee Stuart Attwell as he felt his decision to dismiss Caldwell changed the face of the game. He said: "To give a red card you have to be certain. Gary said he went in really strong and got the ball."