Mancini denies the heat is on

MANCHESTER City boss Roberto Mancini denied he was under increasing pressure after his expensively–assembled side crashed out of the FA Cup at Stoke last night.

City paid the price for Emmanuel Adebayor’s sending off as they were overpowered 3–1 by the Potters in extra time at the Britannia Stadium.

The result effectively ended City’s hopes of winning silverware this season and left them to concentrate on their attempts to break into the top four of the Barclays Premier League.

With so much money having been spent at Eastlands, it is thought failure to do so could cost Mancini his job.

The Italian has won just two of his last eight matches in all competitions but he insists he is not feeling the heat.

The game turned after Adebayor was dismissed for raising his arms in an attempt to fend off Ryan Shawcross.

Shawcross then headed the Potters ahead five minutes into extra time and Tuncay booked Stoke’s place in the last eight four minutes later.

It was the third time the two sides had played out 1–1 draws over 90 minutes in the past 12 days.