Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini was too angry to come and talk to the press after his side’s 2-0 defeat by Everton.

Assistant David Platt faced the media after the game instead and told Sky Sports: “He’s angry as you can imagine.”

It was a poor performance from City and a great response from Everton to last week’s defeat by Wigan Athletic in the FA Cup.

“He does not want to come out an say things that might get him in trouble,” added Platt.

This was a reference to referee Lee Probert’s decision not to give an obvious penalty for a handball by Marouane Fellaini as he blocked a shot from Carlos Tevez.

Penalty claim

The referee gave only a free kick on the edge of the box, which has obviously angered Mancini and Platt.

Admitting his side did not perform as would be expected, Platt also rued the fact that the undeserved penalty lifeline was not forthcoming.

He added: “Even when we do have moments where we can get back into it, it doesn’t go for you.

“We didn’t get it and perhaps our performance didn’t deserve it, but we could have got a little more out of the game had the decisions gone for us.”

However, Everton had Steven Pienaar sent off and had a goal disallowed for offside even though it looked like Kevin Mirallas was level when he struck the ball.

To be fair, City weren’t suggesting that it was the referee that cost City the game.

Everton were the better team from the start, despite a late onslaught from City.

Platt alluded to this as he replied, when asked what Mancini was angry about: “One, our performance as I don’t think we were really at it throughout the game.  We got outworked by Everton.”

Title race

City are now 15 points behind rivals Manchester United after Wayne Rooney scored the only goal of the game against Reading at Old Trafford.

To have any chance of retaining their title City would have to win all of their remaining nine games and United lose five or their remaining nine.

An unlikely scenario considering United have only lost three of their 29 games so far in the Premier League.

Manchester United do still have to play City, Arsenal and Chelsea but the longest run City have had without dropping points in the league this season is five games.

One bookmaker paid out early on United winning the title last season.  Despite it being more likely that the title will go to Old Trafford this season, it is unlikely anyone will be paying out just yet.

@simonlee2525