After losses to Juventus and Liverpool FC in their previous two games, City returned to winning ways against Southampton in the Premier League, as Kevin De Bruyne, Fabian Delph and Aleksandar Kolarov scored to hand Manuel Pellegrini a comfortable 3-1 victory. The Chilean stressed on the importance of the win, while also admitting that Aguero’s injury is “nothing serious”.
Manchester City could have earned a penalty after Steven Davis turned Fernandinho’s header behind the line, but the referee saw nothing in it. It did not harm the hosts as they looked comfortable and clinical all evening. The defensive frailties exploited by Juventus and Liverpool, looked quite unnerved against Southampton, and that would be a pleasing sign for Pellegrini.
Aguero’s injury “nothing serious”
Sergio Aguero limped off the pitch after he landed awkwardly on his ankle, but while Pellegrini says it is a minor problem, the Argentine is unlikely to be involved in the Capital One Cup tie against Hull City on Tuesday.
“I spoke with Sergio before the game and he was not going to play more than 65 minutes,” the manager said in a news conference, as reported by ESPN. “He receives a kick in his heel but it was nothing important. We will see tomorrow [Sunday].”
“We will see, not because he had a kick in his heel but because he played already three games in a row,” he added. “It is very important to see the medical staff and will decide on Tuesday which is the starting 11 against Hull.”
Crucial victory for City
Having picked up just one point from six in the Premier League, Pellegrini was relieved to watch his side get back to winning ways, admitting that the victory was crucial for their confidence as well as for the points.
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“It was a very important reaction,” said Pellegrini. “It was not an easy week. We just won one point from six [in the Premier League] so it was very important to win against a difficult team that was unbeaten away.
“If you want to be involved in title, you can not drop more points at home.”
Leicester City and Manchester United shared the spoils, as both missed the chance to go top with a win. City, who played before Leicester and United, made sure they got the three points as the noisy neighbours occupy pole position again.