Manchester City striker Carlos Tevez struck a superb hat-trick in their 4-1 win over Blackburn Rovers last night.

His seventh-minute opener put City in charge, and then, after Micah Richards had added a brilliant second, he scored twice more after the interval to take his goals tally for the campaign to 15 as Blackburn were outclassed.

It was Mancini's fourth successive victory since replacing Mark Hughes, and although Morten Gamst Pedersen's effort left him watching his side concede for the first time, the Italian can be mightily impressed with his side.

City are now just seven points adrift of leaders Chelsea while they'll also have their sights on arch rivals Manchester United, who are six ahead in second place.

After the match Mancini was pleased to get another win under his belt but was "angry" at seeing his side concede the first goal under his management.

"It was a good night for us. The players played very well in this match. I thought this match was very hard," he told ESPN.

"Carlos Tevez played very, very well. All the team concentrated for 90 minutes but I'm angry because we conceded a goal. Our gift. I think it's most important we stay concentrated for all the time.

"For me we were playing very, very well. We must continue to play well and not concede one goal."

Despite climbing up to fourth in the Premier League, Mancini is not getting carried away just yet.

He added: "We don't watch the table. We watch the table (in) two months. Now it is not important.

"There are 17 games to the end. Now it's important that we continue this way, we continue to play well and we continue to improve."