Mario Balotelli to the award. On 28 December, Balotelli scored his first Premier League hat-trick in a 4–0 win over Aston Villa. Despite this success, Balotelli still had disciplinary problems, and in March 2011, he was sent off in the second leg of Manchester City's Europa League draw with Dynamo Kyiv. On 14 May, Balotelli was named man of the match in the 2011 FA Cup Final as Manchester City defeated Stoke City 1–0 to win their first trophy in 35 years. Balotelli scored his first goal of the 2011–12 campaign in a 2–0 League Cup win against Birmingham City. He followed
2010–11 in English football past £100 million with the signing of Italy and Inter Milan striker Mario Balotelli for a fee in the region of £24 million. 14 August 2010: The 19th Premier League season gets underway, with newcomers Blackpool winning their first top division game since 1971 4–0 away to Wigan Athletic. Kevin Blackwell leaves Sheffield United by mutual consent following a 3–0 loss to Queens Park Rangers, having been manager for two and a half years. 17 August 2010: Sheffield United promote coach and former player Gary Speed, aged 41, to be their new manager on a three-year contract. Chelsea striker Nicolas