Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini has singled out Samir Nasri as a star performer in today's 4-0 win over Newcastle United.

Goals from Carlos Tevez, David Silva, Vincent Kompany and Yaya Toure helped the Citizens stay five points clear of third-placed Tottenham Hotspur, who won 2-1 at Swansea City.

The Italian coach said that his side performed well and stressed the importance of finishing second in the Premier League.

"It was a good performance," Mancini told BBC Sport. "It was not easy because Newcastle are a good team but we played very well.

"We had a lot of chances to score and I am happy. It was important, after Everton, to start winning again quickly.

"Samir Nasri played very well and if we play like this we won't have a problem in the last couple of months of the season. It's important to get second place and to win the FA Cup semi-final next week."

Their next league fixture is against Manchester United at Old Trafford next Monday.