Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini says he was ready to hook Mario Balotelli in the opening five minutes of their 3-3 draw with Sunderland.

Balotelli struck a brace in the six-goal thriller but also left Mancini infuriated with his antics.

When asked if he thought about taking Balotelli off on Saturday afternoon, Mancini said: "I thought this after five minutes but in the end he scored two goals.

"He didn't play well. In a game like this the strikers should be the difference - but not in the last two minutes, in the minutes before.

"A player like Mario or (Edin) Dzeko should score two or three goals in a game like this.

"In this moment we need Carlos (Tevez), a striker who can do different. I want this."