Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini has heaped praise on Mario Balotelli after the Italian was again on target in their 3-1 win over Everton at the Etihad Stadium yesterday.

The £24m signing from Inter Milan had lost his place in the team due to the form of Edin Dzeko and Sergio Aguero, but with the Argentinean injured and Tevez suspended, Balotelli has been given a chance to impress.

"I think Mario is always happy. In this moment, after he was on the bench in the last month, he maybe understood," he said.

"He played well, has scored four goals in a row and works for the team. Mario can change in a moment but I am happy because it is now 40, 50 days (when he has) played and worked well.

"He is motivated because he is playing and scoring. It is important moment for him. I think that for a player on the bench with me it is not easy to watch the game and not play in a team playing well and scoring goals."

Balotelli has scored nine goals in 21 matches since joining from Inter Milan last August.