Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini praised the strength of character of his players after they came from behind to register a narrow 2-1 win over high flying Watford at Vicarage Road on Saturday. .
The Citizens dominated play in the first half but went behind 10 minutes into the second after Aleksandar Kolarov nodded in Ben Watson’s corner past a hapless Joe Hart. Manuel Pellegrini brought on Jesus Navas and Wilfried Bony for Sterling and Mangala in the hope of avoiding a sixth consecutive away game without a win.
Eight minutes before the end of regulation time, Ivorian powerhouse Yaya Toure thumped home a vicious left footed volley into the top corner to level up the scores at 1-1. Three minutes later, Argentine superstar Sergio Aguero headed home an unlikely winner for the Sky Blues after a stunning delivery from the right hand flank by Bacary Sagna.
City’s win keeps them firmly on the heels of league leaders Arsenal who beat Newcastle United 1-0 in an earlier kick off.
Pellegrini praises the strength of character of his Manchester City players
Speaking to the media after his side’s first win in 6 away matches in the Premier League, Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini heaped infinite praise on his players for their their ‘never give up’ attitude.
“I always said this team has a lot of character,” said Pellegrini (via espnfc). “We never give up, in every important game we always keep the face.
“We won the Champions League group in the same way. We were very unlucky to be losing this game, because the corner was not a corner, and after that it was an own goal, but we keep our minds cool.
“We continued to think we would [turn the game around], and we did it. It was a very good game, and tough for both teams.
“I was happy about the last three games, especially [the 0-0 draw at] Leicester. We played very well against the best team in the first half of the season. Before that we played well against Sunderland and didn’t play bad against Arsenal. We did not deserve to lose that game.
“We are returning to our form by recovering important players and once they are 100 percent fit the team will improve every game. I am so happy to be in all competitions despite all the injuries we’ve had. We must be thinking game by game. We next have Everton.”
“We never give up…” #MCFC manager Manuel Pellegrini gives his reaction to #watfordvcity: https://t.co/8psUIfT8ko pic.twitter.com/zdQHysSdUc
a Manchester City FC (@MCFC) January 2, 2016
World Class Sergio Aguero revives Manchester City’s title charge
Sergio Aguero showed City fans exactly what they had been missing after the diminutive Argentine struck 5 minutes before full time to hand Manuel Pellegrini his first away win in the league since August last year. Aguero missed almost half of City’s league games this season due to niggling hamstring and ankle problems, but finally returned to first team action in late December. Coming into Saturday’s encounter with Watford, the Sky Blues had failed to register a win in their previous 5 away matches in the league. Aguero’s incisive movement and deadly finishing resulted in City’s win, and reignited their title aspirations on a day when Arsenal won and Leicester City drew their respective matches. Pellegrini will be hoping to keep his explosive striker fit and firing if he is to have any realistic expectations of lifting his second Premier League trophy with the club.
I always say the goals that matter are the ones that clinch a win. More so if they break our bad form away. C’mon, City! The fight is on! a Sergio Kun Aguero (@aguerosergiokun) January 2, 2016