RBS Six Nations preview - Overview

his season's RBS Nations promises to be one of the most exciting yet, with little to choose between the sides.
Defending champions Wales face a fight to retain their crown following a run of seven successive Tests defeats since they won the grand slam. A run of injuries and the absence of head coach Warren Gatland - who is now working with the British and Irish Lions - will not help their cause.
England will fancy their chances of winning a first grand slam in 10 years after significant improvements under Stuart Lancaster. They finished runners-up last year, while they went on to beat the All Blacks in the autumn - and with three home games, they will look to take full advantage.
France, though, are confident that they can put their Six Nations horrors from 2012 behind them. Les Bleus responded to their fourth-placed finish by recording wins over Argentina (twice), Samoa and Australia and Philippe Saint-Andre will want to carry that from into this season's competition.
Ireland have plenty to prove after a controversial defeat to Wales and a heavy loss to England last time out. The absence of key men through injury could hurt them, however that has opened the door to some talented young players.
Scotland are hoping that interim coach Scott Johnson can inspire the side to recreate the same form that saw them beat Australia in the summer. That win was a rare highlight for the Scots in 2012, though, after they finished with the wooden spoon while defeat in the autumn to Tonga saw Andy Robinson step down.
Italy have the potential to be the dark horses this season as they continue to improve under Jacques Brunel. The Azzurri toppled Scotland last year and then asked plenty of questions of both New Zealand and Australia in the autumn. With three home games in the championship they have a chance of causing a few upsets.
The Six Nations title is not the only prize on offer, though, with a number of players looking to impress Lions head coach Gatland ahead of this summer's tour.
http://www1.skysports.com/rugby-union/news/12333/8447684/RBS-Six-Nations-preview-Overview

Romain Grosjean admits using psychologist in a bid to overcome spate of crashes

Romain Grosjean has revealed that he sought help from a psychologist in a bid to overcome the spate of crashes he caused last season.

Although the Lotus driver showed a genuine turn of pace in his first full Formula 1 season and scored three podium finishes, he was also involved in a number of incidents - particularly at the start of races.

Infamously, Grosjean triggered a spectacular multi-car pile-up at the first corner of the Belgian Grand Prix for which he picked up a one-race ban.
The 26-year-old Frenchman returned vowing to improve, but not before causing another collision at the start of the Japanese Grand Prix for which Mark Webber branded him a "first-lap nutcase".
Grosjean had already started seeing a psychologist by then and after a protracted period of discussions with Lotus bosses and team owners Genii Capital, a contract extension was announced shortly before Christmas.
Summing up his 2012 season in an interview with Sky Sports F1 at the launch of Lotus's new car on Monday, Grosjean told Ted Kravitz: "I don't think it went entirely the way I wanted. We had too many incidents. We had good results - quicker than I was expecting - but maybe I wanted a little bit too much.
"(It was) not an easy end of the season but I think I've learnt how to put everything together for this year. We know that there won't be any more chances so I'll have to deliver what the team want.
"It's not a secret that I started work with a psychologist in September last year and it went very well during the winter. I had a lot of discussion with Genii, the owner, to try to help them understand and take the right decision. And when they called me to say, 'Okay we go again for one more year' I was more than happy."
Lotus's Eric Boullier said they gave Grosjean all the support they could in the wake of his ban, which was served at the Italian Grand Prix.

The Team Principal is confident that the former GP2 champion will emerge as a reformed character in 2013 but stressed that more is required of him.
"We had a couple of issues with Romain. The 2012 season didn't exactly match the expectation we had from him," Boullier said.
"If we had to continue with Romain, we would be comfortable that he would have understood that we wanted what I was expecting from him.
"Since he got his ban last year, we had pretty intensive discussions together, a lot of change around him and a lot of support needed for him to understand. He had to find out by himself what to expect.
"He won every Championship he participated in before, so he knows what it is to win races and win Championships. But I think the way he handled Formula 1 in 2012 was maybe not the most efficient one and he got lost somewhere.
"We believe he has some speed, some potential, so we had to make sure he understood everything we are expecting from him."
http://www1.skysports.com/formula-1/news/12473/8456302/Romain-Grosjean-admits-using-psychologist-in-a-bid-to-overcome-spate-of-crashes

Transfer news: Mario Balotelli 'ran to Milan' from Manchester City

Mario Balotelli has admitted that he 'ran to Milan' as he prepares to complete the formalities of his return to Italy from Premier League champions Manchester City.

The enigmatic Italy international flew into Milan's Malpensa airport prior to undergoing a medical after the two clubs agreed a fee for the 22-year-old on Tuesday.
Balotelli, who moved to the Premier League from Inter Milan in August 2010, is expected to put pen-to-paper on a four-and-a-half-year contract before Thursday's transfer deadline.
The striker has endured a miserable time with City this season, scoring just one Premier League goal, and with his last start coming in the 3-2 derby defeat by Manchester United on 9 December, when he was hauled off after 52 minutes by a clearly frustrated Roberto Mancini.

 

Balotelli is confident he will rediscover his best form away from the Etihad Stadium and is hoping that he will receive nothing but the full backing of the Milan supporters.
Speaking to the Milan Channel, he admitted: "I ran to Milan.
"I had wanted to play here for a long time. The start of this season was negative, but with this jersey I will do better.
"I made some important choices, so I hope they can bring good luck to me and the team. I just want the fans to love me."
Milan vice-president Adriano Galliani has admitted the transfer is a 'dream come true' and believes the arrival of Balotelli can only drive the Italian giants on to greater heights.

Galliani told the club's official website: "It is a dream come true and something that we all wanted, with the president Silvio Berlusconi at the forefront.
"With the arrival of Mario, we have strengthened our team a lot.
"We have worked so hard and Mario has been in our hearts for a long time and finally we have succeeded in signing him."
 http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11679/8456336/Transfer-news-Mario-Balotelli-ran-to-Milan-from-Manchester-City

Premier League round-up

Reading produced another astonishing last-gasp comeback to climb out of the relegation zone with a home draw against Chelsea, while Manchester United moved seven points clear at the top of the Premier League with a narrow success at home to Southampton.

Arsenal and Liverpool went toe-to-toe at Emirates Stadium and ended honours even after the Reds blew a 2-0 lead, allowing Everton to move further clear of the duo in the standings courtesy of their 2-1 victory against West Brom at Goodison Park.
Tottenham now only have a one-point cushion over the Toffees in fourth place and were forced to come from behind to take a point at Norwich, who have still not won in the Premier League since December 15, while Fulham took the points in their London derby at home to West Ham.

Click below for individual match reports and stats:

Arsenal 2 Liverpool 2
Everton 2 West Brom 1
Norwich 1 Tottenham 1
Fulham 3 West Ham 1
Man Utd 2 Southampton 1
Reading 2 Chelsea 2

Super-sub Adam Le Fondre stepped off the bench to score twice in the final three minutes as Reading climbed out of the bottom three following a dramatic 2-2 draw with Chelsea the Madejski Stadium.
The Blues looked to be cruising to victory with a 2-0 advantage and time running out after Fernando Torres set up Juan Mata for the opener in the first half before Frank Lampard headed home a corner midway through the second period.
But Reading, who produced a similarly stunning comeback at home to West Brom earlier in the season, reduced the deficit when Hope Akpan found Le Fondre with three minutes to go, before the former Stockport, Rochdale and Rotherham man volleyed over Ross Turnbull in the fourth minute of added time.
Wayne Rooney grabbed a first-half brace as Manchester United recovered from the shock of falling behind at home to Southampton to extend their advantage at the top of the table.
The Saints stunned Old Trafford by taking the lead in the third minute after Michael Carrick's back-pass sold David de Gea short, although the goalkeeper then compounded the error by jumping over the ball, allowing Jay Rodriguez to roll into the empty net.
But the Red Devils were swiftly back on terms as Shinji Kagawa lifted his pass over the static Southampton defence for Rooney to run onto and slot confidently beyond Artur Boruc, before they took the lead in the 27th minute when Robin van Persie's free-kick was headed back across goal by Patrice Evra for the England international to convert from point-blank range.

Enthralling

Arsenal hit back from 2-0 down at home to Liverpool as Theo Walcott and Olivier Giroud rescued a point for the Gunners in an enthralling Premier League encounter.
Luis Suarez fired Liverpool ahead with just five minutes gone after defensive stumbles from Bacary Sagna and Thomas Vermaelen allowed Glen Johnson's cross to reach Daniel Sturridge, and although his shot was saved, Jordan Henderson picked out the Uruguay international to drill home.
And it was 2-0 on the hour mark as the much-maligned Henderson burst into the Arsenal box, evading some weak challenges on the way, before riding his luck with a deflection off Andre Santos and then guiding the ball home.
But the Gunners roared back and immediately halved the deficit as Giroud headed home Santi Cazorla's free-kick, before the same duo combined to set up Walcott to drill an unstoppable shot across a static Pepe Reina and into the far corner.
Leighton Baines' first-half double helped Everton triumph 2-1 at home to West Brom and lifted David Moyes' men to within a point of Tottenham in the final UEFA Champions League berth.
Baines broke the deadlock just before the half-hour mark, racing towards the West Brom box after being found by Leon Osman before unleashing a vicious strike which Ben Foster will feel he could have done better with as it flew home at the near post.
And the left-back stepped up to double Everton's advantage from the penalty spot after Claudio Yacob, who had only been on the field a matter of moments after George Thorne was stretchered off with what looked to be a serious knee injury, tripped Victor Anichebe.
The Baggies were handed a route back into the match when John Heitinga attempted to control Romelu Lukaku's shot after he had rounded Tim Howard, but only succeeded in lifting the ball into the area and allowing Shane Long to sneak in and nod home.

Stunning

Gareth Bale scored a stunning individual goal as Tottenham had to come from behind to take a point against out-of-form Norwich at Carrow Road.
Wes Hoolahan fired the Canaries ahead in the 32nd minute, taking advantage of complete confusion in the Spurs defence as Robert Snodgrass' deep, hanging, cross was headed back into play by Anthony Pilkington and then into the danger area by Grant Holt.
New Spurs signing Lewis Holtby came on for his debut in second half, but the headlines were made by Bale 10 minutes from time as he picked up possession near the halfway line before driving towards the Norwich box and unleashing an unstoppable shot beyond Mark Bunn.
Hugo Rodallega headed home in the second-half as Fulham moved above West Ham in the Premier League table following a 3-1 victory in their London derby at Craven Cottage.
The Cottagers were gifted the opening goal in the 10th minute as Damien Duff's curling free-kick from the right was missed by all the big men in the middle, with the unmarked Dimitar Berbatov stealing in at the far post to head home from an acute angle.
West Ham briefly levelled at the start of the second period as Mark Noble's clever free-kick allowed Kevin Noble to rifle home, but just over one minute later some sloppy defending saw Rodallega show more desire than three defenders and goalkeeper Jussi Jaaskelainen to convert Duff's cross.
The result was put beyond doubt in the closing moment as Joey O'Brien could only turn the ball into his own net after Mladen Petric hit the post from an acute angle after Jaaskelainen could only parry Rodallega's low drive.
http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11670/8456743/Premier-League-round-up

Alex Cuthbert hits back at Jim Telfer over 'lazy Welsh' jibe

Wing Alex Cuthbert has angrily hit back at Jim Telfer's jibe that Wales' players are "lazy".

Former Scotland and British and Irish Lions coach Telfer caused a stir with his comments in a national newspaper.
But wing Cuthbert, who scored the decisive try when Wales beat France to be crowned Six Nations Grand Slam champions last season, said: "It's his opinion, but I know how hard the boys work.
"We have shown in a lot of games where we come out on top as the fittest team, especially in last year's Six Nations, and hopefully we can show it again.
"Everything we do (in preparation) is at a really high intensity to make sure we get as close as possible to that game standard.
"I've worked so hard since coming into professional rugby.
"From where I started, and being in this environment, my game has really progressed. I'm still developing and have a lot more to learn, but each game I will get more experienced."
Wales' Six Nations attack coach Mark Jones added: "There is absolutely nothing lazy about the work ethic of the coaches or certainly the playing staff.
"Three Grand Slams in the last few years suggests being lazy isn't something that goes on here."
http://www1.skysports.com/rugby-union/news/12507/8454695/Alex-Cuthbert-hits-back-at-Jim-Telfer-over-lazy-Welsh-jibe

Coach Declan Kidney believes Ireland have an exciting blend of youth and experience in their back division

Ireland supremo Declan Kidney believes Ireland have an exciting blend of youth and experience in their back division as they prepare to take on Wales in their RBS Six Nations opener.

Young, fleet-footed wingers Craig Gilroy and Simon Zebo - who have only four caps between them - are very much the new kids on the block when compared to the centre partnership of Brian O'Driscoll and Gordon D'Arcy who boast nearly 200 international appearances between them.
Kidney feels the injection of youth has lifted spirits in the camp and is hoping his side can build on their last performance - a convincing 46-24 triumph over Argentina in November.
"The younger guys were buzzing around the camp in November and that has carried on into this month," stated the Ireland coach.
"A couple of the more senior players are starting to feel their age with the younger fellas around them.

Mix

"Look at the back line and the numbers - it's like the lotto. You've got one, 120, 71 and three in terms of the number of caps. There's a mix of experience."
One of Kidney's toughest calls was the make-up of his back-row to face Wales with fit-again former European player of the year Sean O'Brien significantly strengthening his hand.
Ultimately O'Brien got the nod to return alongside number eight, and new skipper, Jamie Heaslip, while Munster's Peter O'Mahony edged out Ulster's Chris Henry for the blindside spot.
"It was bit of a call. In terms of a mix as a starting back row, we felt Peter, Jamie (Heaslip) and Sean would be good for us. Chris' performances did make it a topic of conversation," Kidney said.
http://www1.skysports.com/rugby-union/news/12506/8454179/Coach-Declan-Kidney-believes-Ireland-have-an-exciting-blend-of-youth-and-experience-in-their-back-division

Premier League round-up

Newcastle eased their relegation worries and increased Aston Villa's woes as QPR picked up an important point which could further dent Manchester City's Premier League title bid.

Wigan showed impressive fighting spirit to come back from 2-0 down to draw with Stoke at the Britannia Stadium, while Sunderland and Swansea played out a goalless stalemate at the Stadium of Light.
Newcastle opened up a four-point cushion over the relegation places with a crucial 2-1 victory away to Aston Villa to add to the ever-growing pressure on Paul Lambert's shoulders, with the Midlands club having now slipped into the bottom three.

Click below for individual match reports and stats

Aston Villa 1 Newcastle 2
QPR 0 Man City 0
Stoke 2 Wigan 2
Sunderland 0 Swansea 0

Alan Pardew's men took the lead with 19 minutes gone as a superb pass from new signing Moussa Sissoko cut open the Villa defence and allowed Papiss Cisse time to control and beat Brad Guzan.
It was 2-0 just after the half-hour thanks to a simply stunning finish from Yohan Cabaye, with the Frenchman controlling Ron Vlaar's headed clearance just outside the area before firing into the top corner of the net with his second touch beyond Guzan's despairing dive.
The hosts were handed a lifeline early in the second half as Christian Benteke converted from the penalty spot after Mathieu Debuchy was very harshly penalised for tangling with substitute Gabriel Agbonlahor, but despite an improved showing they could not find an equaliser.

City held at QPR

Queens Park Rangers remain bottom of the Premier League despite taking an important point from their home meeting with reigning champions Manchester City, who could now fall seven adrift of Manchester United as the leaders prepare to face Southampton on Wednesday.
Much of the focus was on one man who was not even present at Loftus Road, with City striker Mario Balotelli expected to complete his move to AC Milan in the coming hours.
The Rs were indebted to another excellent display from goalkeeper Julio Cesar, with the former Inter man denying Gareth Barry in the first half and then David Silva from close range in the closing stages.
Franco di Santo and James McArthur rescued a precious point for Wigan in their Premier League relegation battle as they hit back from 2-0 down away to Stoke to draw 2-2.
Stoke were gifted the opener in comical fashion when Charlie Adam's poor free-kick was headed into the back of James McCarthy by Jean Beausejour, with the ball falling kindly to Ryan Shawcross to hook home from close range in the 23rd minute.
The Potters doubled their lead early in the second half as Adam was allowed to advance unchecked towards the Wigan box before firing in a shot which Ali Al-Habsi could only parry into the path of Peter Crouch to slot home.
But the Latics responded immediately as Roger Espinoza fed McArthur with a clever pass and the midfielder produced a sublime finish with the outside of his boot, before the Honduras international's cross was headed back across goal by McArthur for Di Santo to fire home.
Sunderland manager Martin O'Neill was only able to take a quick look at reported transfer target Danny Graham during the 0-0 draw with Swansea at the Stadium of Light.
The Swans striker, who has been linked with a move away from the Liberty Stadium this month, came on for the final 15 minutes of an uninspiring encounter in the North East, but could not break the deadlock despite a glorious late chance as he was denied by Titus Bramble's last-ditch challenge.
http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11677/8454553/Premier-League-round-up

Aston Villa 1 Newcastle 2: Visitors survive spirited second-half fightback

Newcastle United resisted a valiant second-half fightback from Aston Villa to claim a first away win of the season with a 2-1 triumph at Villa Park.

The visitors controlled the first half and deservedly led 2-0 at the break thanks to fine goals from Papiss Cisse and Yohan Cabaye.
Villa responded brilliantly in the second period, but although Christian Benteke pulled a goal back from the penalty spot, they were unable to force what would have been a warranted equaliser.
Newcastle handed debuts to Yoan Gouffran and Moussa Sissoko and signalled their intentions with a high-tempo start in which they dominated both territory and possession.

Best of the Match:

• Man of the match: Sissoko. Villa were powerless to resist as the debutant tore through the hosts' midfield during the first half, setting up Cisse for Newcastle's first and impressing hugely with his strength and vision.
• Goal of the game: Cabaye's stunner was simply sensational and left Guzan clutching air as it nestled into the top corner.
• Moment of the match: Benteke's penalty gave belief to the Villa faithful as they looked to salvage something after being 2-0 down.
• Attempt of the match: N'Zogbia's remarkable first half drive stung the post and denied Villa what would have been a magical equaliser.
• Talking point: Newcastle secure a priceless rare away win, but Villa look like a team heading for the Championship unless a dramatic change of fortune occurs imminently.

Their energy was rewarded after 19 minutes, when Sissoko split the Villa defence with a divine threaded pass to Cisse, who took a touch before beating Brad Guzan with a low, right-footed shot.
The goal stunned Villa into life and although they remained second best, Charles N'Zogbia almost drew them level with a superb left-footed half-volley from 22 yards that cannoned back off the post.
But they soon found themselves 2-0 down after a moment of brilliance from Cabaye, who swept a brilliantly struck right-footed half-volley into the top corner from 25 yards.
Villa made two changes at the break, sending on Gabriel Agbonlahor and Andreas Weimann, and twice went close to pulling a goal back within seconds of the restart.
Weimann had the first, turning and letting a right-foot shot fly from 12 yards that Tim Krul did well to save, before Benteke drew a similarly smart stop from the Newcastle goalkeeper with a left-footer from just inside the box.
Villa's tails were suddenly up and they deservedly got on the score-sheet through Benteke's penalty after Agbonlahor went down easily in the box under a challenge from Mathieu Debuchy.
The hosts continued to push and it took another fine stop from Krul to deny Weimann's low drive after a fine cross-field pass from Benteke.
With Newcastle digging in, Villa forced one final chance, when Nathan Baker met a corner unmarked but saw his point-blank header blocked on the line.
http://www1.skysports.com/football/live/match/261792/report

Premier League: Julio Cesar helps QPR hold Manchester City to goalless draw

oalkeeper Julio Cesar was the hero as QPR held Manchester City to a goalless draw at Loftus Road to boost their hopes of avoiding relegation and put a dent in City's title chances.
The summer signing from Inter Milan made a series of fine saves to deny Roberto Mancini's men, who missed the chance to close the gap on leaders Manchester United to two points.
Rangers boss Harry Redknapp wasn't kidding when he promised "a different team" from the one that lost to MK Dons in the FA Cup on Saturday, making eight changes to his starting XI, including recalls for Loic Remy, Clint Hill and Ryan Nelsen.

Best of the Match

• Man of the match: QPR had Julio Cesar to thank for emerging from the contest with a point. The Brazilian made some outstanding saves to keep the scoreline goalless.
• Save of the match: The pick of Cesar's stops came in the first half. Gareth Barry struck a shot sweetly from just inside the box but Cesar somehow managed to dive across and tip it round the post.
• Chance of the match: Adel Taarabt could have put QPR one-up when he shimmied past Gael Clichy to play himself through on goal. But Joe Hart made himself big and the Moroccan could not beat him.
• Talking point: City had a big penalty shout late on when Scott Sinclair went down under a challenge from Nedum Onuoha. Replays showed the QPR defender may just have got a toe on the ball.

Much of the talk surrounding City pre-match was about who wasn't at Loftus Road rather than who was, with enigmatic striker Mario Balotelli absent as he put the final touches on a move to AC Milan.
On a wet and windy night in west London, City's first opening came after 20 minutes when Pablo Zabaleta, who grabbed the winner in the FA Cup against Stoke on Saturday, thumped a header off the crossbar from eight yards following great play by David Silva down the left.
Just after the half hour mark Esteban Granero's block tackle span off James Milner and fell for Sergio Aguero, who calmly slotted home, but the goal was correctly ruled out for offside.
Mancini had goalkeeper Joe Hart to thank for keeping his side level after 39 minutes. The England international spreading himself to block Adel Taarabt's shot following a surging run into the box by the Moroccan.
Whatever Hart could do, Cesar could do better, the Brazilian diving full stretch to his right to superbly palm away Gareth Barry's goalbound effort three minutes later.
Silva continued to cause problems down the QPR left after the break, his neat one-two with Aguero on 68 minutes affording him space to have a low shot from the left hand side of the penalty area that was well held by Cesar.
QPR were screaming for a penalty seconds later when Remy went down in the area as he skipped past Joleon Lescott, but referee Phil Dowd turned down their appeals.
With the clock ticking down towards full time Cesar came to QPR's rescue yet again, superbly denying Silva from point blank range after the Spaniard latched onto Dzeko's low cross.
Referee Dowd was the centre of attention once more in the closing stages, correctly adjudging that Nedum Onuoha got the ball when tackling Scott Sinclair in the box and waving away City's appeals for a spot kick.
http://www1.skysports.com/football/live/match/261795/report

Billy Twelvetrees named in England's 23-man squad for Calcutta Cup

Uncapped Gloucester centre Billy Twelvetrees has been named in England's 23-man squad for the Six Nations opener with Scotland on Saturday.

London Irish centre Jonathan Joseph and Northampton full-back Ben Foden are amongst nine players who have been returned to their clubs.
England coach Stuart Lancaster will name his line up on Thursday morning, but the men retained will either start or be on the bench.
Owen Farrell started at fly-half in the famous 38-21 win over New Zealand in England's last match, and unless Lancaster moves him into midfield - bringing back Toby Flood at 10 - Twelvetrees is likely to partner Brad Barritt in midfield in the Calcutta Cup showdown at Twickenham.
Notable returnees to the squad include hooker Dylan Hartley, who has recovered from the knee injury which kept him out of the November Internationals, wing David Strettle and Flood, who missed out on the New Zealand game with an injured ligament in his toe.
Lancaster said: "We've had to make some tough calls with a lot of competition for places.
"The players' attitude and application in training has been first rate and we know those going back to their clubs and playing in the LV= Cup will be pushing hard for contention for the Ireland match."
Joining Foden and Joseph back at their clubs this weekend are Mouritz Botha, Lee Dickson, Matt Kvesic, Ugo Monye, Henry Thomas, Billy Vunipola and Thomas Waldrom.
Forwards:Cole, Hartley, Haskell, Launchbury, Lawes, Marler, Morgan, Parling, Robshaw, M Vunipola, Wilson, Wood, T Youngs
Backs: Ashton, Barritt, Brown, Care, Farrell, Flood, Goode, Strettle, Twelvetrees, B Youngs
http://www1.skysports.com/rugby-union/news/12504/8454168/Billy-Twelvetrees-named-in-England-s-23-man-squad-for-Calcutta-Cup

Transfer News: Manchester City striker Mario Balotelli to sign for AC Milan

Manchester City striker Mario Balotelli has agreed a four-and-a-half year deal with AC Milan.

The Italian giants claim the deal has been done, although City sources say it will be completed on Wednesday morning once the Italian has passed a medical.
City had also been negotiating with Juventus, but Milan director Umberto Gandini insists the fee - believed to be around £20million - has been agreed and the 22-year-old has committed his future until the summer of 2017.
The deal will bring to an end Balotelli's two-year rollercoaster at the Etihad, a stint which saw him famously provide the crucial injury-time pass which set up Sergio Aguero for the dramatic Premier League title-winning goal against QPR last May.
That memorable afternoon came just five weeks after City boss Roberto Mancini said Balotelli would never play for the club again following the striker's red card at Arsenal.

Lapses in professionalism and numerous training-ground bust-ups have been characteristics of Balotelli's time at the club, the latest when he had to be separated from his manager after he lunged at team-mate Scott Sinclair.
Mancini has - for the most part - stood by the Italy international, who shone for his country in Euro 2012.
This season though he has barely featured, making just two substitute appearances since a dreadful performance against Manchester United at the beginning of December.
Italy coach Cesare Prandelli believes Balotelli will be making the right move.
"Now a lot depends on him. He has everything he needs to show his true worth," Prandelli said.
"It's what Mario was looking for. He's gone to a club which knows how to work with young players, including all the aspects off the pitch. Now it's up to him."
http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11679/8452988/Mario-Balotelli-agrees-contract-with-AC-Milan