Balotelli charged over Parker stamp January 23, 2012 -- Updated 2020 GMT (0420 HKT) Mario Balotelli celebrates his winning goal against Tottenham just minutes after his apparent stamp on Scott Parker. Manchester City striker Mario Balotelli has been charged with violent conduct by English FA The charge relates to Balotelli's apparent stamp on Tottenham midfielder Scott Parker Balotelli scored a last-minute penalty as leaders Manchester City beat Tottenham 3-2 (CNN) -- Manchester City striker Mario Balotelli has been charged with violent conduct by the English Football Association after his apparent stamp on Tottenham midfielder Scott Parker during City's 3-2 Premier League win on Sunday. Balotelli appeared to catch the side of Parker's head with his boot after the pair had clashed in the second half at the Etihad Stadium. And to compound the misery for Spurs, Balotelli went on to score a last-minute penalty in the top-of-the-table clash, a goal which ensures they move eight points clear of third-placed Tottenham. An FA statement read: "The FA has today charged Manchester City forward Mario Balotelli with violent conduct following an incident in his side's home game against Tottenham Hotspur. I don't like people kicking other people in the head on a football pitch Harry Redknapp Balotelli was involved in an incident with Tottenham's Scott Parker during Manchester City's 3-2 victory at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday 22 January 2012. Balotelli has until 6pm on Wednesday 25 January 2012 to respond to the charge. The incident angered Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp, who told reporters: "I don't like people kicking other people in the head on a football pitch. It is not something I understand. Why should he go and back-heel someone in the head when he is on the floor? Should Balotelli be found guilty, he will be banned for four matches because he has been sent off once already this season. Balotelli would miss the Premier League trips to Everton and Aston Villa, plus the home encounter with Fulham and the second leg of the League Cup semifinal against Liverpool. Controversy has dogged the Italian international since his move to Manchester in August 2010. He has already been sent off three times in a season-and-a-half at City and has been involved in a number of controversial incidents both on and off the pitch that have publicly angered City manager Roberto Mancini. However, one piece of food news for Mancini on Monday came with the confirmation that the FA have decided not to hand defender Joleon Lescott a violent conduct charge, after the England international appeared to catch Tottenham's Younes Kaboul in the face with his forearm during the same match.