Premier League: Now keep it up, Pellegrini tells irresistible Man City
Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini hopes his side can marry their attacking flair with the consistency that eluded them last season after they continued their irresistible start to the new campaign.
Left-back Aleksandar Kolarov and substitute Samir Nasri scored yesterday as Premier League pace-setters City overcame in-form Everton’s stubborn defence and maintained their 100 per cent record this term.
“If you want to win silverware you have to be consistent,” said Pellegrini. “This team in the last three seasons always play the best football. Normally it is a team that goes forward, tries to score goals and doesn’t change the style. It is important to play attractive football and be an offensive team and if you are an offensive team it is very important to know how not to concede goals.”
Everton goalkeeper Tim Howard twice denied striker Sergio Aguero with his legs in the opening stages as City, inspired by David Silva, swarmed all over the home side.
The Toffees almost got reward for their resilience shortly before half-time, when forward Romelu Lukaku’s free-kick clipped the top of the bar. But City found a way past Howard on the hour, when £49m summer signing Raheem Sterling’s trickery freed Kolarov and the Serbia defender beat the American stopper at his near post.
Nasri struck two minutes from time when he played a one-two with Yaya Toure before coolly lifting over Howard.