Robinho handed Mancini lifeline: Everton 2, Man City 0

MANCHESTER City manager Roberto Mancini insists Robinho still has a future at Eastlands.

The Brazilian suffered the ignominy of being substituted after coming off the bench for Roque Santa Cruz, who sustained a calf problem, in Saturday’s 2–0 Premier League defeat by Everton at Goodison Park.

Mancini explained his reasons for bringing on Shaun Wright–Phillips after seeing his side suffer their first defeat since he replaced Mark Hughes last month.

He said: "I had (Craig) Bellamy, Benjani (Mwaruwari), (Carlos) Tevez, Robinho – all strikers – so I decided to take one off.

"I needed a different kind of player.

"Is it the end of the line for Robinho? No. He is a good player. Like everyone in the squad, he needs to work hard and play well."

Goals from Steven Pienaar and Louis Saha (penalty) gave Everton a deserved victory and damaged City's hopes of clinching a Champions League place.

Everton stepped up the pace and Saha extended their lead in first–half stoppage time with his 13th goal of a productive season.

He coolly slotted home a penalty after having his shirt tugged outside and inside the box by Micah Richards.