Former Inter Milan coach Mancini, who has set his sights on a top-four finish after taking over from Mark Hughes, saw Martin Petrov put City ahead in the 28th minute of the Boxing Day clash at Eastlands. The Bulgarian tucked the ball home at the far post after Robinho had mis-hit Carlos Tevez's low cross into his path. Tevez added a second in first-half stoppage time when he got his toe to Gareth Barry's header to lift the ball over Thomas Sorensen. Earlier on Saturday, Chelsea had Florent Malouda sent off late on as Birmingham made it 10 games unbeaten with a goalless draw at St Andrew's. The league leaders found Blues keeper Joe Hart in inspired form - one point-blank stop from Frank Lampard was especially impressive - and ended the match with 10 men after Malouda picked up a second booking for a late tackle on Stephen Carr in the 89th minute. The hosts, though, should have gone in front in the 31st minute when Christian Benitez tapped home on the line only to be incorrectly ruled offside. But Chelsea had plenty of chances to win it, defender Alex thumping a free-kick against the crossbar and Malouda mis-kicking with the goal at his mercy. The draw moved Carlo Ancelotti's men five points clear of Manchester United, who face Hull on Sunday. West Ham gave their survival hopes a boost with a 2-0 win over fellow strugglers Portsmouth at Upton Park. Alessandro Diamanti's 23rd-minute penalty - his third goal in as many games - set them on their way and Radoslav Kovac's 89th-minute header made the points safe. David Nugent headed a second-half equaliser to earn Burnley a 1-1 draw with Bolton at Turf Moor, and only a string of fine saves from Jussi Jaaskelainen denied them victory. The on-loan striker took advantage of poor marking to meet the impressive Wade Elliott's right-wing cross in the 56th minute and cancel out Matthew Taylor's 29th-minute free-kick. Benni McCarthy scored his first league goal of the campaign, but it was not enough to give Blackburn victory against Wigan at the DW Stadium. Hugo Rodallega nodded in an equaliser eight minutes after the restart to earn the Latics a 1-1 draw. Everton grabbed a precious point after scoring a late equaliser at the Stadium of Light to hold Sunderland to a 1-1 draw. Darren Bent headed home his 11th goal of the season from Kenwyne Jones' 17th-minute cross, but Marouane Fellaini levelled with five minutes to go to earn the injury-plagued Toffees a draw. Tottenham escaped Craven Cottage with a point in a 0-0 draw after Fulham failed to capitalise on their superiority. Spurs had Heurelho Gomes to thank for keeping them in contention with the Brazilian keeper making a string of fine saves. In the second half alone, he kept out goalbound efforts from Clint Dempsey and Bobby Zamora, while Damien Duff and Zoltan Gera also went close. The result keeps Tottenham in fith spot, while Fulham stay in ninth position
