Sport

Manuel Pellegrini hails Manchester City’s ‘character’ in ensuring return to winning ways against Everton

By Alex Lanigan

Manchester City bounced back from mid-week disappointment with a comprehensive 3-1 victory over Everton at the Etihad on Saturday.

The Blues went into the match on the back of two defeats and were a goal down inside twenty minutes from Romelu Lukaku.

However, an instant response from Alvaro Negredo and a brace from Sergio Aguero that included one from the spot sealed victory for the Blues.

After the match Manuel Pellegrini refused to be drawn on his view of the penalty decision opting instead to focus on what he saw as a positive performance.

“We scored three goals, we had four or five chances to score more goals,” he said.

“I don’t think the referee was the difference.”

After Aguero gave City the lead on the stroke of half time the Citizens came out and controlled the second half.

Pellegrini’s side then added to their lead after Pablo Zabaleta was fouled in the box.

Aguero was fortunate to convert the spot-kick after Tim Howard was able to initially turn the ball onto the post only for the rebound to bounce off his head and trickle into the goal.

Pellegrini admitted that he was pleased with his side’s recovery after a disappointing midweek showing.

“I’m very pleased for a lot of things,” he said.

“We played the only unbeaten team in the league and they played very well with the ball so it wasn’t an easy match today

“Last Wednesday had a mental and physical consequence, so I’m very pleased with the character we showed today.”

Last seasons player of the year Pablo Zabaleta echoed his manager’s words.

“We had to win this game after Wednesday night,” said Zabaleta.

“We had to perform well today against Everton and I think we did that.

“We did well because we went behind and it could have affected our confidence but we struck back straight away which was so important so we’re very happy.”

It was an important win for the Blues who now face three games away from home in a row, including a trip to Russia to play CSKA Moscow in the Champions League. 

Image courtesy of MCFC Official via YouTube , with thanks.

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