MANCHESTER, United Kingdom, April 15 – Carlos Tevez on Sunday thanked everybody at Manchester City for welcoming him back after a turbulent period of the season that saw him absent for several months.

The 28-year-old Argentina striker scored a hat-trick in Saturday’s 6-1 hammering of Norwich City, leaving many to wonder what would have happened had he not fallen out with manager Roberto Mancini in September’s Champions League group match at Bayern Munich.

Tevez, who has scored four times since ending his exile, which saw him spend a long time in his native Argentina, said that coming back had not been easy for him.

“It wasn’t easy, coming back to training,” Tevez told City TV.

“I want to say thank you to my colleagues for all the support they have given me since I arrived.”

Tevez said that the golf swing celebration he produced when he completed his hat-trick indicated that he felt the split between him and the club was firmly behind them.

“It was an important goal, not just for me but it was important for the people, for the club and for the fans, for my colleagues, for Roberto,” said Tevez, who was filmed playing golf while he was in Argentina.

“We all went through some difficult times. That’s why I celebrated the way I did because I have my feet on the floor and I am happy for everyone.”

Tevez, unlike Mancini, insisted that City could overtake his former side Manchester United and win their first league title since 1968.

“Of course we can still win the title,” said Tevez.

“Obviously we have to put pressure on United. We just need to continue to play the way we are and we will arrive at the top. Mathematically it’s not impossible.”

United host Aston Villa later on Sunday, when a win would restore their five-point lead ahead of the crucial Manchester derby on April 30.