6 Things We Learned from Manchester City's 2-0 Win at Wigan

Manchester City went on the road on Wednesday to play Wigan at the DW Stadium and came away with a 2-0 win. 

City did not wake up until the second half when Mario Balotelli scored off a rebound from a save made by Wigan keeper Ali Al-Habsi in the 69th minute. 

The second goal came three minutes later as James Milner shot an absolute firecracker of a shot into the back of the Wigan net to put City ahead by their eventual winning margin. 

The win kept City a point behind Manchester United in the title race as the two clubs continue their collision course for December 9th and the first Manchester derby of the season. 

Here are six things that we learned from City's road victory on Wednesday. 

Roberto Mancini Has a Method to His Madness

To say Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini has made some questionable substitutions this season is an understatement. 

Mancini was once again up to his usual nonsense on Wednesday as he took off Sergio Aguero, a forward, for Aleksandar Kolarov, a defender, with the score at 0-0. 

Once the substitution was announced, Mancini could hear the criticism from fans and even the match commentators.

One minute later, those critics were silenced when Mario Balotelli scored the club's first goal.

Leaving Balotelli up front by himself in the City formation turned out to be a brilliant decision by Mancini as Gareth Barry, who was moved to the left side of midfield, and David Silva created the chances for Balotelli to open to score on a rebound. 

James Milner Had a Productive 22-Minute Cameo in the Match

James Milner was brought as Mancini's first substitute in the 59th minute, and left just 22 minutes later because of an injury he suffered late in the match. 

In those 22 minutes on the pitch, Milner was an active part of the City attack, and he produced the match's finest bit of quality. 

Milner's goal in the 72nd minute was a piece of absolute brilliance as he was left wide open right outside the penalty area, after Silva and Barry ran circles around the Wigan defense. 

Just nine minutes after his spectacular goal, Milner was taken off for Kolo Toure due to injury, no further reports have followed on the midfielder's condition as of now. 

David Silva's Lack of Selfishness Led to Second Goal

David Silva created the second goal for Manchester City, and he did in one of the most unselfish manners, by passing the ball to create a better chance for his teammates. 

Silva made a run into the penalty area and instead of taking on three defenders at once, he turned and looked for an open teammate.

The open teammate he found was Gareth Barry, who then sent the ball over to the feet of Milner, and the rest is history. 

Not many attacking talents in the EPL would have done the same thing Silva did on Wednesday as he sacrificed a chance at individual glory for a opportunity that the whole team took advantage of. 

Mario Balotelli Was Ineffective Until His Goal

The title of this slide may seem like an obvious reaction to the match but Balotelli did not show up to play at all until he slotted home his 69th minute goal. 

The always tempermental Balotelli was clearly frustrated in the first half when he failed to get any chances on goal.

Once Super Mario scored his first EPL goal of the season, the Italian turned into the player everyone expects to see for a whole 90 minutes. 

Balotelli's energy level was much improved once he found the back of the net, and he improved greatly from his lackluster first 65 minutes. 

Nastasic and Kompany Should Be Starting Duo at Center Back

Manchester City's best signing of the summer may have come in the form of 19-year-old center-back Matija Nastasic.

Ever since the injuries to Joleon Lescott and Micah Richards, two of City's top defenders, Nastasic has stepped in and has been a defensive rock alongside captain Vincent Kompany. 

In the seven matches that the dynamic defensive duo have played together in the EPL, they have only given two goals. 

The last goal allowed in the league by City came on November 11th in their 2-1 win over Tottenham. 

City's EPL Unbeaten Run Is Now at 20 Matches

Manchester City's unbeaten run extends back to April as they have now gone 20 matches without losing in the EPL.

The last loss in the EPL for the Citizens came on April 8th in a 1-0 loss to Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium. 

That domestic form has not translated into European success, where City sit in last place in their Champions League group with one match left, but it has translated into stellar form on the domestic front. 

City's unbeaten run will be tested over their next two EPL matches as they host Everton on Saturday and then host Manchester United in the Manchester derby on December 9th. 

What did you think of City's performance on Wednesday?

Comment below or reach me on Twitter @JTansey90