By MARTIN BLACKBURN
CARLOS TEVEZ reckons Manchester City’s strikers were fired up by Roberto Mancini’s praise of red-hot Robin van Persie.
And Tevez has vowed to prove boss Mancini wrong by fighting rivals United all the way in the Premier League.
Mancini last week spoke of his regret at losing out to United for Van Persie’s signature in the summer — and said he is proving to be the difference in the title race.
The City chief has also been critical of his own quartet of strikers in recent weeks, telling them they are not getting enough goals between them.
But Tevez reckons the manager’s views have stung him, Sergio Aguero, Edin Dzeko and Mario Balotelli into action.
The last three matches have produced 10 goals for City with all the forwards — apart from Super Mario — getting back among them.
Tevez said: “Those words were a motivation for the strikers and we know that we need to carry on fighting.”
City trail United by seven points ahead of a key weekend which could have a serious bearing on the destination of the title.
Mancini’s champions travel to Arsenal and will kick-off just after their neighbours have taken on Liverpool at Old Trafford.
Tevez said: “Can we do it again? Yes.
“Last season United lost some games and we were back on track so we will just keep doing our job. That’s the emotion of the Premier League. It is always a fight to the end and if United lose one game, we’ll be getting close to them. They will know that.”
Having crashed out of Europe completely, Tevez believes it is vital City end the season with some silverware to add to their collection.
They are still fighting in both the league and FA Cup, with five wins from six games since their derby defeat to United. Tevez added: “We want to keep fighting and I will try to help us compete on both fronts and win both.
“Our 2011 FA Cup win was a great achievement and very important because it was also the start of everything here — with us then winning the title the season after that.”
