Roberto Mancini feels that his Manchester City side were good value for their 3-0 win over Liverpool at the Etihad Stadium on Tuesday night.

Goals from Sergio Aguero, Yaya Toure and a James Milner penalty gave the hosts a comfortable victory and opens up a three-point advantage at the top of the Premier League.

Despite Liverpool's resolve, the Italian coach feels his side deserved to win the game.

"I think we that we should concentrate on ourselves and not about sending out messages," he told Sky Sports at full time.

"For us, it's important to try and win every game because we know if we want to win the Barclays Premier League we have to be very, very strong because we play against teams like Liverpool, United and Tottenham.

"I think in the first half we played well, and in the second half for 20 minutes we might have been tired.

"But also Liverpool are a fantastic team and a strong team. They pushed in the first 20 minutes in the second half but we deserved to win this game," he stated.

The only blot in City's copybook was Gareth Barry's dismissal in the second half for two bookable offences.

The Reds could have had a man sent off also, as Mancini waved an imaginary card in the air on the sidelines as Martin Skrtel fouled Toure for City's penalty; he has apologised for his actions.

"In the moment I did what I did but I was not happy with the referee.

"When you play, during the game sometimes you can do something in the game that you regret, but in that moment I did not agree with the referee," he concluded.

By Gareth McKnight

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