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Joleon Lescott hits back at Mario Balotelli, Carlos Tevez critics

Lescott defends Balotelli, Tevez
© PA Photos
Joleon Lescott believes that some of the heat needs to be taken off Manchester City duo Carlos Tevez and Mario Balotelli.

Manchester City defender Joleon Lescott believes that criticism towards Mario Balotelli is "harsh" and that the team are "grateful" for the return of Carlos Tevez.

The club's controversial strikers have hit the headlines for the wrong reasons on a number of occasions throughout the season.

Italian hitman Balotelli has been judged for his uncontrolled behaviour on and off the pitch, while Argentina international Tevez sparked outrage when he refused to play for City in September and deserted the club for months by jetting off to South America.

While the futures of both players remain uncertain, Tevez has made an impact since his return to the first team by netting a hat-trick during City's 6-1 victory over Norwich City at the weekend.

"I think it's a bit harsh to solely blame Mario," Lescott told Sky Sports News. "He's a young player and he's going to make mistakes - we all did at that age.

"We're not dwelling on the past [controversy with Tevez]. Who's to say that if Carlos had stayed he wouldn't have got injured and missed the rest of the season. We're just grateful that he's back and playing for Man City and scoring goals."

City are currently five points behind league leaders Manchester United in the table.

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Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool119112161528
2Manchester CityMan City117222213923
3Chelsea115422113819
4Arsenal115421812619
5Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest115421510519
6Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton115421915419
7Fulham115331613318
8Newcastle UnitedNewcastle115331311218
9Aston Villa115331717018
10Tottenham HotspurSpurs1151523131016
11Brentford115152222016
12Bournemouth114341515015
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd114341212015
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham113351319-612
15Leicester CityLeicester112451421-710
16Everton112451017-710
17Ipswich TownIpswich111551222-108
18Crystal Palace11146815-77
19Wolverhampton WanderersWolves111371627-116
20Southampton11119721-144


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