FRIENDS REUNITED ... Mario Balotelli and Roberto Mancini
Published: 2 hrs ago
ROBERTO MANCINI put his midweek bust-up with Mario Balotelli behind him as Manchester City eased into the FA Cup fourth round.
The Italian boss was up against fellow countryman Gianfranco Zola — but his Hornets failed to provide any real sting for the Premier League champions.
Carlos Tevez smashed City in front with a 24th-minute free-kick before Gareth Barry doubled the lead before the break.
And as Watford frustrated the hosts in the second-half, Mancini turned to Balotelli as a sub for Edin Dzeko in the 70th minute.
Balotelli had not featured for City in nearly a month - his last appearance coming on December 9 in the Manchester derby.
DAVID PLATT admits Watford gave Manchester City a game in the FA Cup third round at the Etihad
But after Mancini declared he was willing to give the striker "100 more chances", he was happy to throw him into the action.
Balotelli almost made an immediate impact just seconds after coming on with a shot from the edge of the box which Watford keeper Jonathan Bond parried away.
GIANFRANCO ZOLA had no complaints after Watford were knocked out by Manchester City
He also had a late free-kick which flew straight at Bond before Tevez's effort was cleared off the line by Lloyd Doyley.
And with City pressing, the third goal came in the last minute when debutant Marcos Lopes turned the ball in from a Balotelli effort.
PALS ... Mario Balotelli shares a joke with Scott Sinclair
PIZZA THE ACTION ... Italian duo Gianfranco Zola and Roberto Mancini greet
SMASHER ... Carlos Tevez bangs in the opening goal
TRUE BLUE ... Carlos Tevez celebrates in front of Man City fans
HEAD BOY ... Gareth Barry scores Man City's second goal
BARRY CHUCKLE ... Gareth Barry celebrates with David Silva
MAKING HIS MARC ... Marcos Lopes nets his first ever Man City goal
LO AND BEHOLD ... Marcos Lopes is hailed by his team-mates
FULL MATCH REPORT TO FOLLOW LATER
Read more: http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/football/4727922/Man-City-3-0-Watford-Match-report-and-pictures.html#ixzz2H8CQoxRa
