Pelle happy with Foxes shutout

MANUEL Pellegrini was happy with Manchester City’s first clean sheet without Vincent Kompany this season - despite the goalless draw against Leicester.

Kompany returned from injury as a substitute on Boxing Day but soon limped off again and faces another three to four weeks out.

With Nicolas Otamendi and Eliaquim Mangala yet to keep a clean sheet prior to yesterday, some City fans may have feared the worst facing the league’s joint–highest scorers without their captain.

But the expensive and often criticised central defensive pairing produced an accomplished display at the King Power Stadium, keeping Leicester’s top scorer Jamie Vardy quiet for much of the game, while the Foxes’ other danger man Riyad Mahrez was also reduced to a bit–part role.

Pellegrini refuted claims City had come for a draw, though.

He said: “I think we are returning to a very solid and consistent team, which is important. One of the good things about tonight is that we kept a clean sheet, after many games without. But I am not happy because we came here to try to win the game.”

Asked about skipper Kompany’s latest injury setback, boss Pellegrini revealed: “Vincent has a second degree tear of the calf. We will see how long he will be out, but I don’t think it will be less than three to four weeks.”