City facing anxious wait

MANCHESTER City were today anxiously waiting to discover if Mario Balotelli landed himself in hot water during yesterday’s 3–2 win over Tottenham.

Spurs boss Harry Redknapp was left fuming after the Italian’s apparent back–heel into Scott Parker’s head went unpunished.

Television pundits Graeme Souness and Gary Neville were in no doubt about the severity of the incident, the latter claiming Balotelli — who went on to net a stoppage–time penalty winner — could cost his team the Barclays Premier League title.

Replays were inconclusive over whether World Cup referee Howard Webb got a clear view of the incident, but if he refers the matter to the Football Association, Balotelli could be hit with a four–match ban — he has already been sent off once this season at Liverpool — which will rule him out of the Carling Cup semi–final second leg at Anfield on Wednesday.

“Great players are consistent,” Souness said. “Balotelli is a car crash waiting to happen.”

And Neville added: “He could win them the league and he could lose them the league.”

Redknapp was unimpressed, adding: “What reason did he have to back–heel Scott in the head with his studs when he is laying on the floor?”

“I couldn’t see a reason for it. It is not a nice thing to do. It has no place in football. Having looked at it, yes, I do (think Balotelli should have been sent off).

“It is not the first time he has done that and I am sure it won’t be the last. I am the last person to talk about getting people sent off and what they should and shouldn’t do. But it is blatant. He reacts to challenges like that at times.”

City manager Roberto Mancini has been embroiled in enough controversy over the last few games for waving imaginary cards in the wake of Vincent Kompany’s controversial dismissal against Manchester United a fortnight ago.

Under the circumstances, it was probably just as well the Blues chief was unable to attend the normal post–match press conference, as he may also have faced questions about an apparent forearm in the face by Joleon Lescott on Younes Kaboul that also went unpunished.

“I never saw anything live. I don’t think there was any kind of reaction from the players live either,” assistant manager David Platt said of the Balotelli incident. “But if someone has seen something, I will be able to comment.”

After a goalless first half, the Blues were in control when Samir Nasri and Lescott struck.

But Jermain Defoe profited from Stefan Savic's mistake almost immediately before Gareth Bale levelled with a magnificent curling shot.

Spurs seemed more likely winners after that, until Balotelli’s last-gasp penalty.