Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini was delighted to defeat Blackburn Rovers without Carlos Tevez.
Blackburn, without a win in nine league games, grew in confidence only for Edin Dzeko to score the decisive goal.
Mancini said: "With Carlos injured, Mario (Balotelli) played a fantastic game and with Edin scoring his first league goal it was very important.
"It was a very big win, especially as it was away from home, because at this stage every game is difficult. In the first half we played some great football and should have scored two goals.
"We scored in the second half when we had some problems because Blackburn played long ball. We found it difficult to play football but we deserved to win.
"Sometimes a top squad needs to find different ways to win and that's what we did."
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