Mancini fumes at Johnson tackle

Roberto Mancini has labelled Glen Johnson's tackle on Joleon Lescott during Wednesday's Carling Cup semi-final defeat by Liverpool as worse than the one that landed Vincent Kompany with his four-match ban.

The Manchester City manager clashed angrily with Liverpoolskipper Steven Gerrard over Johnson's challenge after the defeat at the Etihad Stadium.

Still fuming at Kompany's appeal being turned down on Tuesday, Mancini feels there was a clear lack of consistency in Johnson not even getting booked for his two-footed challenge on Lescott late on during Liverpool's 1-0 victory.

"It was worse," claimed Mancini.

"This tackle was worse. Gerrard came to me and said I said something.

"It was not for Johnson. It is for the tackle. This tackle was worse than Vinny's. Everyone can see it."

Surprised

Mancini clashed with Gerrard twice, the second particularly fractious, although the Liverpool captain was unrepentant.

"It surprises me because he had a go at Wayne Rooney. Now he's had a go at one of ours," said Gerrard, in response to comments from Mancini claiming the England striker had influenced the decision to dismiss Kompany.

"Steven Gerrard can say what he wants," Mancini responded.

"I said what I think. That is what I am used to doing.

"It is not important what Steven Gerrard or the other players have said."

Backing

Mancini also moved to back Kompany's stand-in Stefan Savic with the young defender enduring a difficult night against Liverpool.

Savic conceded the winning penalty after fouling Daniel Agger, but Mancini is confident the Montenegro international will get better

"Savic needs to get experience," added Mancini

"It is normal. He is young. Against a striker like Carroll maybe he could have some difficulties. But in the second half it went better."

The defeat was the first time City had suffered back-to-back home defeats since February 2008 and Mancini admits he knew January would be a key month for his side.

"We have just played two difficult games," continued Mancini.

"I knew this before, when I said that January will be an important month for us because we lose three or four important players."