Manchester City (15/2 to win the Premier League) assistant manager Brian Kidd believes his side proved their title credentials after they beat Newcastle United 2-1 at Eastlands on Saturday.
The Blues took the lead thanks to a penalty from Carlos Tevez who smashed the ball down the centre of the goal.
The Argentina striker was fouled for the penalty however there was some debate whether the tackle was inside the box as the forward ran in on goal.
City’s lead did not last for long as they conceded a goal by Jonas Gutierrez just six minutes after the penalty from Tevez.
The Blues had to work hard in a tightly fought contest and they got their rewards thanks to a great strike from substitute Adam Johnson who cut in from the right wing to fire a shot past Tim Krul.
Kidd was pleased by his side’s effort to win the three points which puts them second place in the Premier League.
He said: “I think that sums us up, if you want to win in the Premier League you have to dig results out.
“We knew we weren’t really at it in the first half. But that was the pleasing thing, because the players responded.
“What is pleasing is that the players have shown that there is substance in the result. You know you’ve got a chance when you’ve got that in the squad,” he added.
City had a slow start to the Premier League campaign after a defeat to Sunderland and draws with Tottenham Hotspur and Blackburn.
However the club’s star-studded side look like they are starting to gel in recent games with wins against defending Premier League champions Chelsea and Wigan Athletic.
Kidd believes that City boss Roberto Mancini deserves credit for making the change that helped his side break the deadlock against the Magpies.
He said: “Tactically he changed it two or three times.
“Credit must go to the boss – he went for it. I think his substitutions and tactics proved that.
“We’ve gone second in the league now. Over 38 games you get games like that, that are not for the purists,” he added.
City (13/2 to win the FA Cup) will to continue their good form in the Premier League as they next face Blackpool on October 17 which will be no easy game after the Seasiders pulled off a shock 2-1 victory over Liverpool at Anfield on Saturday.
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