Pellegrini unfazed by defeat

Date published: 27 October 2014


MANCHESTER City manager Manuel Pellegrini insists his side can handle the pressure of trying to sustain a successful defence of league crown.

City slipped to third after Saturday’s 2–1 defeat at West Ham, but they are only six points off leaders Chelsea after Robin van Persie’s dramatic stoppage time equaliser earned Manchester United a 1–1 draw

After a midweek Capital One Cup tie against Newcastle United, City play host to rivals United next at the Etihad Stadium.

Pellegrini sais it is too early to talk about who will win the title.

“The pressure is to win the title, the pressure is to retain the title. My pressure, I think, is the best pressure for me,” the Chilean said.

“We are in the third position of the table in this moment. We must continue playing as champions

At West Ham we had four, five clear chances to score.”

While Pellegrini maintains no–one can “know what will happen in the future”, the City boss admits Chelsea look “very strong”.

Diafra Sakho’s seventh goal in as many Premier League starts doubled West Ham’s lead, after Morgan Amalfitano had put the Hammers ahead in the 21st minute.

City piled on the pressure, which saw Sergio Aguero hit the crossbar and Yaya Toure strike the outside of the post. After 73 minutes Sakho, signed from Metz in the summer, made it 2–0 when his downward header dropped over the line, given by the ‘Goal Decision System’ after Joe Hart had clawed the ball out inside the far post.

David Silva hit back immediately to set up a grandstand finale, but West Ham held on.