Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini has claimed that he has no knowledge of rumours that Mario Balotelli has been impersonating Father Christmas.

Rumours surfaced yesterday that Balotelli had been spotted driving around Manchester dressed as Santa and handing out cash to strangers.

"I don't know," Mancini said. "With Mario it is possible. We should ask him. It could be, I don't know.

"But he was in the hotel and it was forbidden to bring fireworks."

City defeated Arsenal 1-0 yesterday to seal a two-point lead at the top of the Premier League table.