Blackburn reax

Daniel Taylor, The Guardian

Tevez's hat-trick takes his total to 15 goals in 21 starts since his defection from Manchester United and the striker was oozing confidence on a night when Micah Richards scored the goal of his life. The only downside for Mancini came in the form of the first goal his side have conceded in the four games since he took over from Mark Hughes. Morten Gamst Pedersen's left-foot shot prompted a brief flurry from the visitors but the margin of victory did not flatter City and, even if the seven-point gap to Chelsea looks a considerable divide, there is the unmistakable sense of a side playing with renewed vigour and optimism.

Mark Ogden, Daily Telegraph

By taking his recent strike-rate to 11 goals in nine games as City coasted past Blackburn at Eastlands, Tévez not only proved his class as a goalscorer, he also lifted Roberto Mancini’s team into the top four.

Noisy neighbours or not, City are now beginning to make actions speak louder than words. Win their game in hand on United and Mancini’s team will close to within three points of the champions and it is Tévez’s goals that are providing the hot breath down Ferguson’s neck.

Oliver Kay, The Times

Yes, Blackburn were poor, but City were lively, maintaining a high tempo throughout the first half, in which Tévez and Benjani led the charge, Craig Bellamy and the rejuvenated Petrov repeatedly stretched the visiting team’s defence and Nigel de Jong and Gareth Barry played with typical economy in midfield.

Ian Herbert, The Independent

The opposition last night was dreadful and it was little wonder Sam Allardyce took half an hour to emerge to talk, but Tevez's 11 goals in nine appearances add to the growing impression that he was right to demand more than that seat on the bench Sir Alex Ferguson allocated him. He is also morphing from his stereotype as an industrious little digger to a purveyor of fine goals, perhaps 25 of them a season. A lead player rather than just the support act. He has already equalled his entire final season tally for United.

Matt Lawton, Daily Mail

After coming here on the back of eight goals in eight games, Tevez added three more. The opener might have been a bit of a fluke but the second and, in particular, the third, were superb. Two fine finishes.

Mancini must have been delighted, and not just because they now find themselves in the company their owners are so keen for them to keep.

It is the consistency of the performances that must please their new Italian manager most.