Roberto Mancini saluted his squad players after the Blues cruised into the FA Cup fourth round without nine regular starters.
Javier Garrido, Dedryck Boyata, Vladimir Weiss, and Benjani all stepped from the shadows to play vital roles in a comfortable 1-0 win at a freezing cold Riverside Stadium.
Boyata made his debut and Weiss only a second senior start and Mancini was pleased with what he saw.
“I have never been afraid of giving young players there chance in the side. It is important for us as a big club to know that we can rely on the younger players if we need them,” declared the City chief.
“Vladimir has shown what he can do in a couple of substitute appearances and Dedryck has been doing really well in training.
“This was Dedryck’s first chance to shine at this level and I thought he did very well. The game will have given him confidence and helped him mentally to know that he is part of the squad”
Final Score: Middlesbrough 0 Manchester City 1